Lima, Peru—UPF-Peru celebrated UN International Women’s Day 2018 with a forum co-organized by the chapter, the office of Congressman Yonhy Lescano and the Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP), held on March 2. The ornate Raúl Porras Barrenechea auditorium in the Legislative Palace, home of the Congress of the Republic of Peru, was packed.
The Hon. Yonhy Lescano welcomed the guests and opened the forum, which centered on the theme of this year’s International Day: “The Time Is Now: Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Women’s Lives.” This was followed by a message for International Women’s Day 2018 from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, which was read by Mrs. Yrene del Pozo Chacón from the Office of Human Rights and Culture of Peace of Huamanga Province. Mrs. Luz Mejía Lara, coordinator of WFWP-Peru, read a message for the Day by the executive director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
Government officials participating in the program included a representative of Peru’s Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations, who spoke on the topic, “Women of Today,” and Congresswoman Gloria Montenegro Figueroa, member of the Commission of Women and Family Committee of Peru’s Congress, who highlighted her fight against violence. From the organizers, Dr. Trevor Edward Jones, president of UPF-Peru, and Mrs. Faith Jones, president of WFWP-Peru, both addressed the audience and praised the women attending for their role in the struggle for a culture of peace.
In the warm atmosphere of this event, new Ambassadors for Peace were honored, and outstanding women Ambassadors for Peace for the year 2017 were recognized. Gen. Héctor Jhon Caro, vice president of UPF-Peru, concluded the event by thanking all who participated.
In speaking to representatives of the media the following day, Dr. Jones reflected, “In honoring International Women's Day, we recognize the need for a change in the status of women. Our hopes for yesterday's meeting are that it would raise awareness of the key issues that affect women today, recognize women who are working to bring about change, and bring together people and organizations that have demonstrated their willingness to live for the sake of others. We will continue to do our best to bring important issues to the attention of society’s leaders, offering them the vision of peace that our founders shared with us.”