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UN International Day of Families 2013
Day of Families Observed in Taipei
Written by UPF - Taiwan
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Taipei, Taiwan - Dr. Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury delivered the keynote address at the Inaugural Convocation of the Global Women’s Peace Network–Taiwan on May 4. Dr. Chaudhury, who chairs the Special Study Expert Committee on Rape, Human Trafficking and Gender Violence of the Government of India, spoke on “Women’s Role in the Peace Building of the 21st Century - Eliminating Violence Against Women and Building up the Peace Network: Addressing from the Gang Rape Case in India.”
UPF and the Women's Federation for World Peace sponsored the convocation in observance of the International Day of Families on the theme of “Advancing Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity.” UPF’s peace principles uphold the family as the school of love and peace, as explained by Dr. Chaudhury, who is president of the Women's Federation for World Peace of India.
The convocation drew around 250 participants from various backgrounds, including academics and representatives of women NGOs, to the Visionary Hall of the Howard International House, Taipei.
Dr. Po Ya Chang, President of UPF-Taiwan explained about the UN International Day of Families, sharing her thoughts on “Advancing Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity” to stress the importance of having a well-functioning families.
Before giving her congratulatory remarks, Ms. Lily Lin, President of the Women's Federation for World Peace-Asia, asked participants to observe a moment of silence in memory of all the battered women and girls throughout history. As music played, the atmosphere was solemn and touching, and some participants were even moved to tears.
In her keynote speech, Dr. Sreerupa pointed out that “gender equality” is not the final solution to resolve violence in human society; instead the world needs “gender humility.” Without gender humility, both men and women find it difficult to accommodate one another. She mentioned that “we found in India and many countries that the men and women both have gained the knowledge of rights. They have understood what is their role and responsibility but yet they are not peaceful in their own life. Therefore, they are battling and fighting. As a result, there is no 'gender humility.' So, 'gender equality' is not the only way to achieve peace.” No relationship can be perfected unless both husband and wife have a transparent trust, love, and respect for each other.
She said that not only India but the whole world is now facing a war between morality and immorality. If the society today fails to focus on the education of the character of a person and allows young people to live their lives without proper guidance, they are apt to fall. She also stressed that the key to basic education on ending violence against women should start from the family. The most important thing is how to create a loving family - making heaven at home with love and peace. The police report about the 17-year-old boy accused in a rape case shows that "it is not that the boy was born as a criminal, but the boy was born out of warring and battling parents. So the most important thing in our life is how to make our relationships correct, how to achieve a good husband-wife relationship, how to give birth to children of love, and how to show them the models of love.”
Concerning intergenerational solidarity, she quoted Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, a poet from her hometown, who said that “if you want to attain peace and harmony in the society, or in your life, then you have to respect that life is like a river. It started by your grandfather, and your great grandfather, and your grandmother, and it is been taken over by you, and it will be taken over by your children and your grandchildren. So, it is not me alone. It is not you alone, who exists in the society. We exist because they existed and we exist because they will exist. So, the inter-generational integration and cooperation between today’s generation and the past generation and the younger generation is one of the main attempts that we should make, to pass on our torch and our ideology to the new generation.”
Thus, the righteous principles of good relationships between humans and the Heavenly Parents, parents and children, man and woman, within a family will achieve “gender humility” and also “gender equality.”
Another important issue she addressed was the corruption of the free-sex culture and industry which has been invading all people through all kinds of media. She said, “if you look at our religious leaders, our parents, our teachers and educators, they are silent about sex. On one side, there is a bad sex revolution and on the other side, nobody is talking about the nobility of human sexuality. There is an imbalance which is taking place in our children’s minds.” She invited listeners to join the “pure love campaigns” of UPF and the Women's Federation for World Peace.
Violence against women starting from gender inequality, which is the source of human rights violations throughout the world, should be eliminated and brought under control in order to protect women and girls to enjoy a healthy and prosperous life. The elimination of violence needs everyone to get involved. However, the fundamental solution she pointed out was what we want is not to increase more police forces, to accuse others, and doubt the imperfect system of society; instead, what we need is the capability to manage an ideal home full of peace and love.
Indeed, this gathering created a good opportunity for women leaders in Taiwan to learn about the diverse culture of India who love peace and understand the background why the “Nirbhaya” incident could happen. It is important for us to turn the sad news of “Nirbhaya”, which reflect the corrupted culture of humanity nowadays into a lesson for everyone to go back home and make a new start in our own family.
After the keynote speech, the representatives of women’s NGOs and VIPs joined together to sign the GWPN Taipei Manifesto.
Distinguished guests included Dr. Hong Dae-Hee from Korea; Dr. Dai Guiying, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Health; Ambassador Rong-Chuan Wu, CEO of International Affairs/ Department of NGO Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mdm. Bi-Shia Huang, General Director of the Division for Gender Equality, the Executive Yuan; Special Representative of the President of the Legislative Yuan Hon. Wang Jinping; Counselor Luo Hsiao Ping; and Ms. Mei Chen Lee, Counselor, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Committee, Ministry of the Interior.Also present were legislator Dagmar Yu, Legislator Huang Wen ling, Mdm. Gao Feng Sen, Member of the Control Yuan, and a number of representatives from the Diplomatic Corps in Taiwan including the Ambassador of St. Kitts and Nevis H.E. Jasmine Huggins; Director General of the India-Taipei Association, Mr. Pradeep Kumar Rawat; and the Deputy Executive Director of the Thailand Trade and Economic Office, Mrs. Kusuma Tharasook.
NGOs in supporting the Global Women's Peace Network-Taipei Manifesto are:
- National Alliances of Taiwan Women’s Association
- Taipei International Women’s Club
- Garden of Hope Foundation
- Modern Women Foundation
- BPW Taiwan –Taipei Tenyuan Club
- The YWCA Taiwan-ROC
- Taipei Awakening Association
- Business Professional Women –Taiwan
- Catholic Good Shepherded Foundation
- Taipei Women’s Rescue Foundation
- ECPAT Taiwan
- Taiwan Coalition Against Violence
- Women’s Federation for World Peace –Taiwan
- Universal Peace Federation –Taiwan
Significant achievements:
- Women NGOs have a platform to work together to address violence towards women.
- Supporters include various religious and political groups.
- Women have opportunities to make charitable contributions to eradicate poverty and empower women and children in Asia.
- Taiwan’s resources and funds are channeled to help needy women and children in other nations.
- Youth Ambassadors for Peace gained experience in organizing and staffing an international conference.
- Ambassadors from other nations and Taiwan government officials learned about these opportunities.
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