Congratulations to the GAD Small Grant Winners!

Congratulations to the volunteers and students in Leskovik, Gramsh, and Fier who applied and won small GAD grants to implement community development projects created at the GAD Leadership Conference.  In Leskovik, the PCV will be helping students develop and perform a theater piece that explores gender development issues in Albania.  In Gramsh, the PCV will assist students in preparing and presenting artwork and poems that speak against drug abuse and raise awareness of the ensuing social ills it creates in an assembly on "Teens Against Drugs Day".  And finally, in Fier, the PCV will work with students to hold an city-wide essay writing competition that answers the question, "Imagine a world where equal rights for women and men exists.  What would this world look like?".  All essays will be posted on Facebook and will be judged by a local author, an official from the Education Office, and an official from the Office of Art and Culture.  

Thank you again to these volunteers who are working with students to campaign for gender equality!  

Women and Development

"If women and girls are really to be put at the heart of development efforts, a good place to begin is to ask not what women and girls can do for development, but what development might do for them."   Andrea Cornwall, director, Pathways of Women’s Empowerment at the University of Sussex

International Women's Day

Today, GAD celebrates International Women's Day.  The theme for 2012 is Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures.  GAD is proud of the people we've met over the years, both men and women, boys and girls that are committed to the gender development movement in Albania.  Their dedication, tenacity, and support gives us motivation for the work that we do.  So today, especially, we would like to recognize and thank those individuals who are fighting for gender equality.  Gazuar festen.

Essay Writing Contest

The Goi Peace Foundation is holding an essay writing contest!  Participants should write how they plan to make a difference in the world.  This would be a great activity for Peace Corps Volunteers to present to leaders in their community.  Visit this website for more information!

http://www.goipeace.or.jp/english/activities/programs/1201.html

Youth Leadership Conference

GAD Albania just completed it's second annual Youth Leadership Conference in Plepa, Durres.  Over 65 participants came to the event and completed activities examining traditional gender roles, being an ethical leader in challenging situations, listening to a victim of domestic abuse share her story, completing a Project Development Management training and building life skills such as household budgeting and cooking.  We wrapped up the conference with a visit from our Country Director Hill Denham, who inspired the participants to pioneer the gender equity movement in their communities.

Overall, the event was a huge success.  Thank you to all our amazing participants who partook in the conference.  You guys are awesome!