Thoughtful projects - to benfit communities

Dear Michelle Bachelet,

I am hopeful with the formation of UN Women. I am inspired to write to you that by accepting such a challenging position as Executive Director you are committed to implementing the existing human rights frameworks to realise peace in women's life.

I am Amei, no great writer. Just with an ambition to express my thoughts and share my views even if I do not I feel too confident. I hope that your work in implementing the human rights frameworks will assist to create projects and forums that would allow women to express themselves without hesitation, fear and be empowered to take action. I come from a small island nation and grew up in alienation and in fear of existence. There are much more women who are similar in ways to me and would be silently praying for a peace distracting themselves from the sad reality in the Maldives.

I am hopeful that your work would include small island nations where women are subject to domestic violence and where education is still not easily available for some women. In Maldives domestic violence is at an alarming rate and under reported. We need to educate women of their rights. I loved when it was possible to say how peacefulness it is in Maldives. Sadly it is not the case any more. I am ashamed to state that it is also a nation of corruption in every form.

I do not want to repeat issues raised by K-lee Starland – USA, Marika – Uganda, Fradosa – Kenya, and Sarvina – Cambodia just a mention a few. There are others from Nepal, Burma, Afghanistan and Bangladesh on WorldPulse and all of them are urging to improve the situation for women around the world extending there expertise in there areas. I join them an raise my thoughts.

My concerns are with the political corruption and the attitudes of people in Maldives. I worked in the education system since 1987 until my resignation in 2005. The corruption is unbelievable. The assistance given to Maldives from organisations such as UNICEF have not impacted education as it should have been with the continued efforts. I have worked with planners and decision makers, managers, teachers, parents and students through out my career in Maldives. I was frustrated and felt so hopeless to the extent I felt I was just filling a bucket with holes of every size and shape. It was harder being a women. Who am I to be listened! I am also aware of the current situation. It has not got any better in the last 5 years. Yet, I am hopeful.

Let me share an experience that shocked me and still vivid in my mind. Once in a meeting that I was attending, I raised an issue that the objectives of the project will not be achieved effectively if we implement the project as planned. The Minister who was chairing the meeting cut me short and stated that “....focus on spending the money and to write the report to show that we have achieved the objectives...” I was hushed by my boss not to press on this issue. I was shocked, outraged and I was forced to silence. Now that I have the freedom and the opportunity to express I voice my concerns. The example is an evidence that providing funds and having project coordinators do not achieve the purpose with strong political and nation wide corruption. Money and efforts go wasted and people give up. Projects should not be short term addressing in a re-active manner and not be treated as to tick a box in the list to be done.

With my experiences I strongly recommend the following when funding and developing projects to;
1- empower local people for pro-action
2- develop inclusive long term project to bring change
3- objectively assess achievement and monitor progress of human development for sustainability
4- check political influence and audit spending thoroughly
5- evaluate the projects having insight to local attitudes, culture and the world views
6- build in action research component within the project

These are points I emphasis in this letter. I join WorldPulse and urge that we take action to educate women in different aspects that are needed for various countries and societies effectively and efficiently.

I am willing to offer my services to education and improve life of women. We deserve to be happy and at peace.

Wish you all the best in your endeavours to assist women as the ED of UN Women.

Sincerely
Amei
Republic of Maldives

Reach4Peace

As the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women officially begins its work this month, World Pulse is asking women worldwide: What is YOUR vision and recommendation for UN Women? We invite you to raise your voice by writing a letter to UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet outlining your recommendation for how this new UN agency can truly affect change on the ground to promote gender equality and uphold the rights and needs of women both on a local and global scale.
Learn more: http://www.worldpulse.com/pulsewire/programs/international-violence-agai...