OBV to address UN conference on the Rights of Minority Women

At the 4th United Nations Conference on minority rights, OBV has been asked to participate and offer some thoughts around political participation.

Over 500 delegates from around the world will bring their stories of inequality, but also wonderful stories of triumph over adversity. High on the agenda will be discussions about the racial prejudice towards Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. Additionally, perhaps in Latin American countries such as Columbia, perhaps for the first time, there will be a clear acknowledgement of racism towards people of African descent.

For many NGO's this is always a very special place to share ideas and above all solidarity.

This is OBV's opening statement to the conference:

'Madam Chair, Brothers and sisters... with local community dynamism and political will we can and must politically empower minority women.

Issues facing Black communities in the UK are becoming particularly difficult and sometimes desperate. This becomes  doubley  so for some of  our Black women, who can be subject to the  lowest pay, forced marriages, mental health, and many other challenges.  

After fierce lobbying of our Government in 2009  we persuaded them to undertake a joint initiative with NGO's encouraging women not only to  engage in civic and democratic society but also to stand as elected representatives.

We travelled to ten cities, spoke to many hundreds of women, inspiring them to lead their communities, fight injustice, and be the change they want to see.

We implored our Black women to be even stronger than they are.  And  our women are strong. With support and gudiance Black   women fantastically responded. During the last local election 15 women from those sessions stood for election. 7 were successful. On a national level  an alumni of our organisation Helen Grant became the first woman of African decent to represent the Conservative party in Government.

As with our British Black women I implore you, in this historic place in this special place  to be even stronger  and demand your place in local and national Gov. Madam Chair , Brothers and sisters from around the world our sisters  success is all our success'.

Simon Woolley