Saturday, 08/04/07
Nashville is home to U.N. group that empowers women
Nashville is now the home of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)/USA's eighth American chapter.
The organization is one of 16 global organizations that raises funds and creates programs to support the mission of the group, which is committed to expanding support and raising funds for programs to foster women's empowerment and gender equality.
The organization focuses on programs that aim to eliminate women's
absolute economic dependence on their fathers and husbands, the spread of HIV/AIDS and increase women's participation in government.
The organization also works with countries to formulate and implement laws that promote gender equality in such areas as land and inheritance rights, education requirements, decent work for women and ending violence against women.
Other cities with chapters include Atlanta, New York, Chicago and Washington D.C. Regional chapters have also been formed in Florida, Southern California and Connecticut.
— JANELL ROSS
jross1@tennessean.com
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...D=2007708040349