Girl Ambassador for Peace presents at OECD Global Forum on Development

April 5, 2018 by Katrina Leclerc*

Noella Muhamirizia, Girl Ambassador for Peace from South-Kivu, DRC is representing the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) at the OECD Global Forum on Development in France on April 5, 2018. Noella will be presenting on the Girl Ambassadors for Peace, gender equality, and women’s empowerment in conflict-affected areas – alongside the First lady of Afghanistan and UN Food Programme’s Director on Gender.

Noella is one of the 200+ participants of the Girl Ambassadors for Peace program, GNWP’s three-tiered program based on 1) Literacy and numeracy; 2) Leadership; 3) Capacity-Building. Currently, the program is operational in South-Kivu and North-Kivu, DRC, in South Sudan and Rhino Camp in West Nile, Uganda, in Lamongan and Poso, Indonesia, and starting soon in Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Noella emphasizes the need for female leadership and role models for young women: “If you ask any little girl in the Democratic Republic of Congo what they want to be when they grow up, the majority will respond: I want to be the president. However, somewhere between that moment and growing up, with the lack of female role models in society, suddenly, these dreams seem unrealistic. The truth is, if you show me a young girl who has seen women participating in peace processes or in decision-making, I will, in turn, show you that same girl who is as a leader five years later.”

Noella and GNWP are excited about her involvement at the OECD Global Forum on Development, with thanks to the OECD for making space at the table for young women peacebuilders. Ultimately, Noella’s message is clear: A seat at the table – that is where young women belong.

GNWP identifies and creates opportunities for young women to participate in policy and decision-making at all levels particularly on matters of peace and security.

Want to tune in and hear Noella speak at the Forum? It will be LIVE here: https://oecdtv.webtv-solution.com/4724/or/Global-Forum-on-Development-2018-Plenary-Room.html

*Katrina Leclerc is GNWP’s Girl Ambassadors for Peace Program Coordinator, for more information about the program please contact: katrina@gnwp.org