• Africa
• Asia-Pacific
• Europe
• Latin America and the Caribbean
• North America

Lucy Joceylin Vokhiwa

WUCWO Board member Malawi

Family as a vocation, is a missionary journey that God has placed in the world for us to embrace, announce and live by. This journey requires listening to God who has called us as companions of the gospel. During the X World Meeting of Families, Pope Francis encouraged and called for families around the world to announce the joy of being family, for those that are further along to become companions of the other and guide them, announce to children and young people the grace of Christian marriage but also open ourselves to Christ, listen to Him in the silence of prayer, accompanying those who are most fragile, taking charge of those who are alone, refugees and abandoned. The theme of the meeting, ‘Family Love: a vocation and path to holiness’, opened up an obligation for the Church and her members to actively take part in family evangelization. WUCWO, an umbrella body for Catholic Women Organisations/Associations adopted the resolution during its 2023 General Assembly in Assisi, introducing the resolution ‘Let us take with renewed conviction the joyful journey of family love, motherhood and fatherhood’ to be implemented in the next four years.

Mary Assumpta Gidudu 

Uganda Catholic women Apostolate

Family love is indeed a vocation and path to holiness. Mothers and Fathers are called to take the joyful journey of family love. The truth is that many fathers and mothers are finding it very difficult to enjoy this God given vocation because of various situations. There are situations that pause great challenges to individuals and really rob them of the joy of motherhood and fatherhood. The vocation of motherhood and fatherhood takes us to the thought of a family unit the smallest building block of the society. In the family units today there many challenges not limited to domestic violence. In the family unit we may find other forms of violence such sexual violence, emotional violence and physical violence. In the view of this forms of violence we find that the joy of motherhood and fatherhood is robbed and rendering every other member of the family vulnerable to any form of abuse

The WUCWO Africa Region held the 10th edition of the Regional Conference in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, from 14 to 20 June 2021.

Despite the many difficulties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the high cost of plane tickets, the shortage of flights and the limitations of screening tests, 180 women from Cameroon, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Mali, Malawi, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry and Ivory Coast wanted to be present at this meeting.

SUMMARY OF THE LIFE OF THE RESOLUTIONS IN THE AFRICAN ORGANISATIONS

Madam President General of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO/UMOFC)

Dear Members of the Board

With you, I thank God for the moments we lived together in Senegal at the feet of Our Lady of Liberation, during the WUCWO General Assembly held from 15 to 22 October 2018.

It is with great joy that I take the floor today to share the summary of responses to the resolutions that African organisations have been kind enough to send.

August 29th - September 5th 2016

Malawi

February  2-7, 2013

Abuja, Nigeria

Fifty Years of Dedication and Hope: Catholic Women’s Organisation (CWO) of Malawi, Celebrates a Significant Milestone. 

Lilongwe, Malawi - In the setting of Lilongwe Stadium, the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) of Malawi celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. Founded back in 1973, the association has played a crucial role in the social and religious fabric of the country, with a constant and significant commitment to the common good.

Representing Catholic women from all over Malawi, the CWO is part of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO), a global network that promotes the active participation of women in the Church and in society.

CWA Kenya - Video from the National Prayer Day broadcasted from the Marian Shrine in Subukia.

Challenges: A path to Holiness.

Evaline Malisa Ntenga

WUCWO Board Member for Tanzania

Celebrating the life of Mrs Alpha (40years) and her Daughter Omega (15years).

Mathew 16:24-25 

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."

Luke 23:31

"For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?"

Jesus through this verse remind us that being a son of God, he went through trials and all sort of problems and challenges, and therefore anyone who chooses to be his disciple will face the same and even more. The Israelites went through the desert for 40years with lots of suffering – hunger, drought, snake bite, and the like before entering Canaan. 

THE CHALLENGES OF MY MOTHERHOOD.

Naomi Embaga

CWO, Nigeria

It is the dream of every married woman to become a mother – it is a dream I’ve always had. Even at present, I can still reminiscence the good nostalgic memories of my childhood: carrying and cuddling toy babies in my arms and bathing them, singing lullabies to them in the name of trying to make them sleep and what have you. That love shown as a mere object became real when my mother gave birth to my immediate younger sister – after seven years of loneliness. She became the companion I never had and so I had a desperate loving desire to protect her. And I did.

Resilience: A Must For Successful Women

By

 Amb. Dr. Mrs. Alice Aladi Jonah (JP)

MINNA DIOCESE, CWON Nigeria

If you want to be successful in life, you must be resilient.

INTRODUCTION

We are often faced with diverse challenges in life especially in the family, when life throws such challenges at us, we are seen running helter skater in search of solution. Sometimes, we wonder aimlessly, tirelessly but expectantly, not minding if we are going about it the right way or not. One thing is sure though, whenever we have a problem, we think of a way out, a possible solution. But after the trying moment lies your reaction, action or inaction. This is where resilience comes into play.

In September 2021, Mrs Nwanneka Okolo, WUCWO Board Member and President of the Catholic Women Organisation Nigeria (CWON), together with Dr Obiageli Ndu, Chairperson of Iwene Tansi Parish, in Enugu, and Mr Nnamdi Arum, Climate Change Officer in the Ministry of Environment of the Enugu State, were at Radio Nigeria, in Enugu, to sensitise the public on the need to care for the environment with emphasis on reuse, and proper disposal of plastics. It was an interactive session on Laudato si’, with questions from the public.

At National level, CWO is implementing a project on Covid-19 response in two archdioceses of Blantyre and Lilongwe. The following are some of the concrete actions that the women of the Catholic Women's Organisation are carrying out for this project. 

Members of the CWA Cameroon National executive had their maiden meeting in the weekend from 8th-10th January 2021 in the sea shore Holy Trinity Parish Bota, in Buea Diocese.

Identified in December, 2019, a local outbreak of respiratory infections in Wuhan, China had culminated into a global pandemic(Covid-19) as declared by World Health Organization (WHO) affecting the whole world. Ever since, the world has experienced a rapid growth of new cases, deaths and recoveries each day. Countries all over the world have activated emergency plans, guidelines and measures as to how best they could handle the disease, restricting its further spread and transmission. For instance, awareness interventions on wearing masks, social distancing, travel restrictions, home confinement among others.

In Nigeria, the extended family system impacts so much on communal life. With the advent of COVID-19 a lot of hardship is being experienced by families. People most affected by the lockdowns are the poor and the needy together with workers who live on daily wages.

In most places in Nigeria, only markets and shops selling food items were allowed to open initially thereby leaving the generality of the people working/doing business in other sectors of the economy vulnerable.

The deadly coronavirus pandemic that took everyone by surprise is no respecter of persons and appears to be testing the faith of many. In these testing times, we must neither falter nor take our eyes of faith off the “almightiness” of our God. The painful reality of Covid-19 proved to the world that there is a creator, God almighty. For sure our God is mightier than the virus that has changed our lives in several ways. Like the two women who visited the tomb of Jesus after his resurrection, women have learned to leave their comfort zones and take the lead in reshaping and redirecting through positive action.

In Line with our Resolution 4 “ Let us Educate to Respond to the call to Holiness” Catholic women in Malawi throughout its 8 dioceses, put in place deliberate efforts to organize retreats and workshops so that Priests and other facilitators can guide, accompany and teach us on our journey to holiness.

Uganda with the equator running through it and laying between the tropics has got tropical forests and savannah grasslands. We used to experience rain twice a year, February – March and about August – September. However, due to climate change, the seasons have changed making it difficult for farmers to plan for their farming. 

The Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) in the Archdiocese of Blantyre on Friday last week, cleaned Ndirande Township in Blantyre City as part of Earth Action Initiative on the environment.

The cleaning exercise in Ndirande Township follows a call to action in the face of the plastic and toxic waste crisis the environment has witnessed.

May 13th is the day of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO). The date recalls the anniversary of the founding of the Organization in 1910. This year, Les Mamans du Monastère du Mont Febe joined the celebration.

The Catholic Women’s Association is a movement of over 30,000 women across the entire country with representation from over 42 ethnic and cultural backgrounds. As a community, the theme of the organization’s activities across the region is to support the local community to thrive, to meet basic needs and to provide encouragement in times of need and bereavement, helping the members in spiritual growth through prayers and sharing the word of God.

"Let us take care of the family in difficult situations, especially its most vulnerable members."

At the end of the great Assembly held in October 2018 in Senegal, we, the women of WUCWO, decided to "bring living water" to the different spheres of life.

Themes ADFCAC works on in Guinea Conakry:
• integral ecology
• "the family in its most vulnerable members."

This recently concluded General Assembly opened my eyes to a number of things, however, the most important of all was the initiative of women around the world gathering together as Catholic Women from different backgrounds. I was really impressed about the discussions and sharing the cross cutting issues women all over the world face in their day to day life, especially living as Catholics.

The "Mamans Eucharistiques du Monastère," a diocesan association of Cameroon, present at WUCWO Meetings since its affiliation to this worldwide Christian organisation in 2011, welcomed the priority adopted at the Dakar General Assembly on "the call to holiness."

After the one in Fatima in 2014, God gave us the grace to celebrate our GA, a sign of our commitment as women and mothers, through our various activities and actions that are reflected in the paths laid out by Pope Francis. In fact, Pope Francis' encyclicals are a guide for our lives.

Please find below a report by the Uganda Catholic Women's Organization on domestic violence.

Violence against women in Uganda is predominantly domestic. And in its reference as Domestic Violence, is at epidemic level worldwide. Recent statistics in Uganda shows that 30% of women or one of every three women is a victim of physical and or sexual domestic violence at least once in their lifetime. The majority of victims experience multiple assaults rather than just one. A 2006 study by the Uganda Law Reform Commission indicates that 66% of men and women respondents had experienced domestic violence (CEDOVIP 2007). However, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics report published in 2007 68% of ever-married women aged 15-49 years had experienced some form of violence inflicted on them by their spouse or intimate partner. Physically their bodies are bruised and emotionally they become unstable. To make matters worse, many of those in marriage get infected with diseases such as Sexual Transmitted Infections mainly HIV/AIDS. Most women are not to blame but their abusive relationships or unfaithful partners.

WUCWO GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN THE FRAMEWORK OF POPE FRANCIS MAGISTERIUM

BY

DAME PATRICIA NWAUBANI, CWO NIGERIA

1.    Preamble:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2032-2040) (2049-2051) states that “it is the duty of the Magisterium of the Church to preach the faith that is to be believed and put into practice in life. This duty extends even to specific precepts of the natural law because their observance is necessary for salvation”.

During the pan-African conference held in Nairobi last November, the problem of land grabbing, a real challenge for African countries, was discussed.

Marie-Madeleine Mwifi Bodibatu

Branche Feminine Bondeko Democratic Republic of Congo

Celebrating their 40th anniversary

“Pencils for All” is a very small charitable organisation working on educational projects all around the world.

At the time of the Dakar General Assembly we were already preparing for more work in South Sudan, country torn by civil and ethnic war and violence. The country welcomed the much-needed peace just at the beginning of this year on the 22 February 2020, unfortunately the wonderful news was overshadowed by the COVID -19 spread around the world.

South Sudan is one of the youngest countries in the world, gain its independence from Sudan in June 2011 and ending the longest civil war in Africa. Sadly, the peace did not last. In 2013 yet another civil war started and the first three years were extremely violent and brutal.

On 10 and 11 November 2021, the WUCWO European Regional Conference took place in Spain, as a hybrid event. Araceli Cavero, Vice President for Europe, invited women from WUCWO member organisations to discuss and learn about the theme of discrimination and violence against women.

These two days were enlightened by the prayer of the participants and marked by interesting activities: a conference on violence in the Bible, courageous and moving personal testimonies, a look beyond the borders of Europe with the work carried out for many years in Peru following the exactions of the Shining Path, and fruitful exchanges in workshops.

On the 17th-20th of last March the European Regional Conference was celebrated in Madrid. Around 40 women from France, United Kingdom, Italy and Spain got together.

The chosen topic was the revision of the 5th resolution approved at the Fatima Assembly: working against the corruption. The slogan: “WUCWO women for the honesty and justice”.

On the 10th March 2016 the Regional Vice President for Europe, Araceli Cavero, was received by the President of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Cardinal Emmo. D. Ricardo Blaquez. The meeting was arranged to inform him of her election and to discuss WUCWO’s work and projects, and the celebration of the General Assembly and the resolutions adopted in Fatima. It was a very pleasant meeting. He was grateful for the information and shared some suggestions for how to improve the work. A considerable amount of time had passed since the election but due to various circumstances it had not been possible to arrange a meeting earlier.

Leeds, United Kingdom

September 5 -8, 2013

From the WUCWO Spain team, comprised of 4 organizations: Acción Católica General, Manos Unidas, Asociación de Propagandistas, and Adoración Nocturna Femenina, in line with Pope Francis' proposal to build a synodal path and promote the formation of the laity, a training day titled "​Resilient Stories from the Old Testament with Women's Names" was organized last month. We are sharing the material from this meeting to delve into the lives of some prominent women from the Old Testament and their characteristics.

Our Social Responsibility committee has ben working on updating our Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse booklet. It was finally launched at our October Board meeting to respond to the reporting of rising numbers of domestic violence during the corona virus lockdown. Information is posted on our website https://www.nbcw.co.uk where digital copies may be downloaded.

On October 26th of this year, we were invited by the Spanish Episcopal Conference and the Episcopal Commission of the Secular Apostolate to present WUCWO at the Days of the Delegates of the Secular Apostolate.

“Catholic Action assumes the entire mission of the church in generous belonging to the diocesan Church from the Parish. The mission is not one of many tasks in Catholic Action, but it is the one task (...)
It is necessary for Catholic Action to be present in the political, business and professional world, but not in order to believe that we are perfect and formed Christians, but in order to serve better. It is essential that Catholic Action be in the prisons, even with those condemned to life imprisonment, because every prisoner needs a horizon, not a fence, or a wall... CA can give horizons... of reinsertion... It is necessary that CA be in hospitals, in the street, in the villages, in the factories. If this is not the case, it will be an exclusive institution that does not say anything to anyone, not even to the Church itself.”
(Pope Francis at the II International Congress of Catholic Action, 27 April 2017)

Discovering a little piece of Africa and getting to know our Senegalese friends, who are particularly welcoming, was a great adventure for me:
a colourful Africa, with cheerful women singing and dancing, and festive Masses that surprise and astonish us Europeans.

Incorporated into the busy General Assembly timetable was a visit to Gorée Island. The island lies 3km off the coast of Dakar, Senegal, West Africa.
The ‘House of Slaves’ and its ‘Door of No Return’ is a museum and memorial to the Atlantic slave trade on Gorée Island and is said to memorialise the final exit point of the slaves from Africa.

The WUCWO General Assembly was a discovery for us, for it was our first attendance.
The exchange groups allowed us to get to know the realities of women from other continents, which are, in some cases, totally different from our own.

See
You may be wondering what WUCWO is: World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations. More than 100 organisations from 66 countries on 5 continents are represented in this global network. From Spain we were 11 people from ACG, ANFE and Manos Unidas. In addition, we traveled with Teresa Compte, who participated as speaker.

I have loved Africa since I was a little girl and have managed to visit the continent in my adulthood which has only increased my love for its peoples and cultures. When I found out that the 2018 World Union of Catholic
Women’s Organisation General Assembly (WUCWO) was going to be hosted in Dakar, I was thrilled. There was also another exciting development to attending this event which was the small charitable educational organisation I had both founded and run – “Pencils for All” was going to become a new associate member!

Four members of Femina Europa participated in the General Assembly. Alix Lejard, delegate of Femina Europa to the European Parliament, Virginie Rotheÿ, WUCWO representative to UNESCO, Marion Senellart, treasurer, and Myriam Fourchaud, lay missionary and writer.

In June, we learned that over one million EU citizens signed the "Mum, Dad and Kids" European Citizens Initiative - a legislative effort to protect marriage and family, by defining marriage as a permanent and faithful union of man and woman with the purpose of founding a family.

From 22nd to 26th July 2019, the Summer School "Building the Future on Peace", organised byItalian Catholic Action and other entities, will be held in Assisi, Italy.

I’d like to tell you about a lady who as a nurse/midwife/manager has worked in Kenya for 27 years, she is known to her patients and staff as simply: ‘Sister Vincent’.

The Catholic Bishops of Europe publish today a Statement in view of the upcoming European elections. In this text, they reaffirm their support for the European project. They encourage all citizens of the European Union to go to the polling booths on the 22nd and 25th May, and to start engaging, during the run-up to the election, in constructive dialogue with their MEP’s and those who are candidates for seats. At the same time, COMECE invites the Bishops’ conferences in the EU, to adopt this text, either by using it as an Election Statement as such or as an inspiration for their own election statements.

Italian Consolata Sister Eugenia Bonetti, a driving force in the fight against trafficking and prostitution, was among the recipients of the European Citizen’s Prize 2013. The annual award was launched by the European Parliament in 2008 to recognise exceptional achievements by individual citizens or groups who facilitate cross-border cooperation within the EU or promote better mutual understanding between citizens and member states. It can also be awarded for day-to-day activities reflecting the values enshrined in the EU's charter of fundamental rights.

Click here to read more

STRASBOURG, August 2 (C-FAM) European ministers disappointed abortion groups last month when they failed to say that abortion is a human right. They cited lack of consensus in Europe.

Members of Leeds Branch of the Catholic Women’s League and visitors gathered at St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church, Ripon for Mass celebrated by Canon Paul Moxon before visiting the Wayside Shrine, 2 miles away at Studley Roger for their annual pilgrimage

Called to Justice and Freedom a celebration of the Life and Legacy

The service is organised by Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), the successor organisation to the Anti Apartheid Movement and
the Trevor Huddleston CR Memorial Centre, South Africa and hosted by St Martin-in-the-Fields.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Asia Pacific Regional Conference has been postponed until a later date.

As WUCWO Vice-President Asia Pacific I am happy to report that I have received reports from Organisations  - Australia, Japan, Lebanon, Aotearoa New Zealand and South Korea but not from Fiji, India or Tonga.  We know that there are many women’s organisations that do not belong to WUCWO but we will endeavour to encourage them to join this wonderful International Organisation.

Suva, Fiji

 2 au 6 mai, 2016

Click here to read an article about it 

News broadcast about the conference on Fijian national TV (the broadcast about WUCWO is from 11.59 onwards)

Manila, Philippines

March 3 - 8 2012

​Last October 31, 2021, instead of celebrating Halloween, the Junior Members of the Catholic Women's League Philippines organised a "Parade of Saints".

The whole event was held virtually, through Zoom, because of COVID-19 pandemic protocols in the Philippines which prevented CWL from having face to face or mass gatherings.

Viviane Nader Sebrini

 CPF-Jounieh Lebanon

The Lord has indicated to me to follow new missionary paths, which will become clearer step by step...

As if they were signs of the times, the development of events and their sequence, nothing is by chance, because the Lord uses our experiences and our abilities, however small they may be. What is essential is our attitude in the face of trials; we have to listen to his voice amidst the noise of daily challenges and dare to respond to his call; “let it be done to us according to your word.”

Although highly vulnerable because of age and comorbidities, CWL officers and members throughout the Philippines have painstakingly tried to bring God closer to the people in these challenging times through selfless service to the most affected families. Thus, amidst the pandemic, various projects and activities through its thrust – HOPE (Holiness, Outreach, Pastoral Involvement and Empowerment), were put into action by the CWL throughout the country, responding with empathy and compassion to help. CWL Philippines National President, R. Rita Mariano, M.D. tells us a little about the activities they have carried out.

On a dark Cambodian morning in December 2019, I lined up with around 10,000 runners and walkers nervously awaiting the starter’s gun for the Angkor Wat Charity Half Marathon. There was a buzz of excitement and anticipation. The morning was very dark and cool. The early start time designed to miss the expected heat later in the day and the crush of runners made for precarious footing for the first few hundred metres. The course would take us around the main tourist temple circuit at the Angkor Wat temple complex near Seim Reap in Cambodia.

The World Union of Catholic Women, as a gesture of solidarity at this anxious time, decided to hold three webinars on the subject of Solidarity and Synodality, one in English, one in Spanish and one in French. They invited every group of Catholic Women, who are affiliated with them, to join the webinar, so on 28^th April I had the privilege of joining 34 other ladies from around the world through the marvels of the internet.

Below you can find the report of Kunie Fukahori, President of the National Catholic Women’s Organization of Japan, on the visit of the Pope to Japan.

«Pope Francis visited Japan in November 2019. Japanese Roman Catholics number some 441,000 and represent only 0.34% of Japan’s population. We Catholics were very excited about the Pope’s visit, of course, but the general public also expressed great interest in this first visit by a Pope in 38 years.

On May 25th, 2019, the Catholic Women’s League of the Philippines celebrated its centennial anniversary. The 1500 attendees prayed the WUCWO prayer for Peace in union with the WUCWO organisations of the whole world.

The Dakar General Assembly in Senegal seemed so remote to me, despite the fact that WUCWO had been a familiar organisation which CWO Korea has participated with since 1983. It could possibly have been from the burden of the election I faced as a board member candidate. Also, the 20-hour flight to Dakar (including one transfer) was not easy to take either.

The Annual Meeting of the General Body and the Meeting of the Governing Board of the Council of Catholic Women of India (CCWI) will be held in Chennai, India, with the participation of 60 members from all over India, from Kerala to Nagaland.

Please find below the translation of an interview with WUCWO Board Member Helen Kwon Kyung Soo, which was presented in Catholic Peace Press.

was declared a Servant of God on 27th March 2013. The Catholic Womens League  Australia

has publishe this special suplement

Jewell Start
General President
Catholic Women’s League of Victoria and Wagga Wagga, Australia

The establishment of Bahay Pangarap Women’s Center in the Diocese of Malolos was conceptualized by Most Reverend Bishop Jose F. Oliveros, D.D, Rev. Fr. Domingo Salonga and the Catholic Women’s League under the leadership of Mrs. Fortunata “Nellie” B. O’Santos. Funds were raised for the building construction through the support of the then Governor of Bulacan, Josie M. dela Cruz, CWL membership and various benefactors and friends.

The VI Regional Conference of Latin America and the Caribbean was held from 26 to 29 October 2017 in Antigua, Guatemala. The theme of the Conference was: "Family, seed of a humanised society."

The VII WUCWO Regional Conference of Latin America and the Caribbean was held virtually from 11 to 13 May 2021. The theme of the Conference was: “Catholic Women Leaders in Action for a Culture of Peace and Fraternity.”

Please find below some useful resources from the Conference.

Mexico, D.F.

April 8 -12 , 2013

Mónica Santamarina de Robles
WUCWO General Vice-president

Sara Vázquez Matar
WUCWO Board Member
Cuba

“Participating in the 2019 WUCWO Board Meeting contributed to my growth and preparation in organisational work, and that means understanding Christ’s call to serve beyond the borders of the country and to work as the Universal Church.”

“In the service, let's reach out to Rural Families”

This is the motto animating the programme of Misiones Rurales Argentina, whose objective is to take the Word of God to the 1068 families of the 22 places that belong to the Parish  of  Nuestra  Señora  de Andacollo, north zone of the province of Neuquén.

The Women's Forum of the EuroLat Parliamentary Assembly in Rome had our President, Maria Giovanna Ruggieri, as a speaker at the Italo-Latin American Institute, with the theme Women together to grow in co-responsibility and solidarity on May 18.

Read her intervention below (in Spanish).

NOSOTRAS Magazine from Cuba

Shari Guinta

Catholic Women’s League of Canada

After attending the WUCWO General Assembly for the first time in 2023, I developed an appreciation for the work of WUCWO and its global sisterhood. I learned more about and was impressed with the World Women’s Observatory. What an amazing initiative! The Catholic Women’s League of Canada is aware of global issues, and often the same issues exist in Canada.

On 25 August 2021, 107 women, 2 husbands, and Spiritual Advisors gathered in Arlington, Virginia (USA), for the 2021 WUCWO North America Region Conference with the theme, Make Me A Channel of Your Peace.

Maribeth Stewart Blogoslawski, Vice President for North America, welcomed the attendees. Afterward, there was a ceremony of remembrance when representatives of each of the member organizations of the North America Region placed a lighted votive candle before the statue of Mary after which we prayed for the deceased members of our organizations.

This report is concentrated on the response of our organizations to the four resolutions we adopted at our General Assembly in Dakar.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada 

August 14-15, 2016

Fort Lauderdale, Fl, USA

September 29 - 30, 2013

On the 7th anniversary of the promulgation of the encyclical Laudato Si’ by the Holy Father Pope Francis, the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon has launched a Laudato Si’ Reflection Series through its Human and Environmental Development Program.

What a blessing to be able to meet with Catholic women of faith from throughout the world and to be privy to the expertise of the women who provided so many points of reflection on the state of the world from the perspective of faith, environment, and geo-politics. The various speakers, while being realistic, left all with a sense of optimism. If, as Father Whelan stated in his homily, we spend time discerning who we are as women of faith, dream, and allow “hope to flourish”, we have no reason to fear. God is good, all the time. His Holiness is probably one of the most visible living examples of this optimism, while we recognize the myriad number doing their parts daily to secure a better world.

Most Esteemed Micaela Le Blanc, newly elected 14th Supreme Lady of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary and I recently attended the WUCWO General Assembly 2018 in Dakar, Senegal. Upon arriving at the
Palm Beach Hotel, we were welcomed with song and dance from our host country. After a beautiful Opening Mass and Opening Ceremony, we quickly set out to complete the work of the General Assembly.

Attendees of the 2015 National Council of Catholic Women’s annual convention in Orlando, Florida, were surprised by the guest appearance of Mickey Mouse and a special presentation on the 95 years of NCCW history at the 95th birthday luncheon celebration. The NCCW convention is the annual gathering of women leaders from Catholic women’s organizations in parishes and dioceses throughout the United States.  The theme of this year’s Convention was “Be the Voice of Catholic Women: Sowers of Hope.”

Luba Kowalchyk

Luba was born on March 6, 1954 and is married to Fr. Michael Kowalchyk. Their family consists of two children Walter (Danielle), Andrew (Wanda), and grandchildren, Kristine, Larissa, Maxim, Zoryanna and Victoria. In 1987, Luba graduated from NAIT, Business Department , majoring in Administrative Management and Accounting. Her employment included 1988 - 1993 Executive Director of Ukrainian Canadian Social Services. During her time with Ukrainian Canadian Social Service, Luba was responsible for initiating resettlement of Ukrainian refugees from former Yugoslavia. More then 150 families fourth generation of Ukrainian descent fled the prosecution in their homeland and settled in Edmonton. From 1993 to the present date Luba has been the Manager of Meest for Western Canada.
Inclusive of her dedicated work provincially and nationally with UCWLC, Luba is the founder and Manger of “Bridge of Hope” a charitable arm of the Edmonton Eparchy, sponsorship of needy and orphaned children in Ukraine though the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate (SSMI) in Ukraine.

Click here to see the page of Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Alberta Provincial Council (UCC-APC)

I write of a WUCWO-inspired collaboration between a woman in Cameroon (Africa) and myself. We became acquainted at the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO) 2006 General Assembly in Arlington, Virginia which was an effort for both of us to attend.

As International Concerns Chair for my Diocesan CCW it is a privilege to choose and present a particular global need to our membership for their support. I prayed that the Assembly would provide opportunity as I prepared to travel to Virginia. Our hotel was filled with 800 of the most beautifully diverse women I’d ever seen, the joy present was tangible.

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Read the message from President Betty Ann Brown Davidson

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The National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) 2013 Convention was held September 25 – 28, 2013 at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with nearly 500 participants from across the USA. 

The theme, “Be the Voice of Catholic Women:  Confidence, Hope & Joy,” was based on the purpose of the proposed women’s council which was created by the United States Bishops in 1920:  “To give the Catholic women of the country a common voice and an instrument of common action in all matters affecting Catholic or national welfare.”

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On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO-UMOFC), under the patronage of the Embassy of Britain to the Holy See and the Embassy of Peru to the Holy See, has the honour of presenting the conference “Women as Promoters of Hope.”

On the occasion of International Women's Day, the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations, with the sponsorship of the British Embassy to the Holy See and the Embassy of Peru to the Holy See, held a conference entitled "The women promoters of hope" on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at the auditorium of the International Union of Superiors General, located in Lungotevere Tor di Nona 7 in Rome.

From 16 to 22 May, the WUCWO Board met in Rome for its first meeting after its appointment at the General Assembly in Senegal (October 2018).

Education and unaccompanied migrant children.

On November 9, 2016, the Declaration on the Right to Peace was officially presented to the UNGA III Committee of the on-going 71th General Assembly (New York).

Some days before, WUCWO, together with 47 NGOs cosignatories, sent an open letter to all diplomatic missions in New York recommending to vote favourably on the Human Rights Declaration on Right to Peace.

From 27-30 August 2016, 15 cardinals, 120 bishops, rectors of religious orders and Marian shrines, and lay leaders of Catholic associations of all the Americas gathered in Bogotá Colombia for a Celebration of the Extraordinary Jubilee of the Year of Mercy in the American Continent -and our WUCWO was there.

April 2016

The speakers were: Mgr. Vincenzo Paglia, President of the PCF, Mgr. Ivan Jurkovic, Apostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva and Maria Giovanna Ruggeri, WUCWO President General. Ambassadors or representatives of more than 70 Embassies to the Holy See attended as well as about 20 directors of Catholic NGOs, special guests and journalists. 

Click here to read Msgr. Paglia

click here to read Pope Francis' message

Click here to read the document

Maribeth Stewart's presentation during Board Meeting 2012

As a contribution to the discussion of the post-2015 development framework, we, Catholic inspired organizations, re-affirm that the most effective route out of poverty and the ongoing global economic crisis is closely linked to the promotion of decent work and support for adequate social protection… 

WUCWO has sponsored a Declaration of the Civil Society on the Occasion of the XXth Anniversary of the International year of the Family (IYF) which will take place in 2014. The aim is that its contents become a part of a resolution adopted by the United Nations on the occasion of this anniversary. Politicians, academics, representatives of NGOs as well as individual citizens the world over are invited to sign it.

More information about the declaration and an online form to sign it can be found at http://www.family2014.org/declaration.php.

June 4, 2018 - Role of Faith Based Organizations in Protecting Migrants and Refugees

November 12, 2018 - Relief and Works for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East

November 12, 2018 - Mozart Requiem to Mark the Anniversary of the End of World War I

In a joyous gathering, the New York Forum for Catholic NGO's celebrated its first meeting on May 31^st.  Organized by Maribeth Stewart Blogoslawski, WUCWO’s representative to the United Nation’s Headquarters in New York, it was attended by 42 individuals from 34 organisations. The event marks a promising beginning for this collaborative initiative.

This report on the work of WUCWO at the United Nations in New York (ECOSOC) must necessarily give you just a brief overview of the discussions concerning the challenges and opportunities that face our world addressed at the UN in New York. The opportunity to participate in discussion groups, present formal written statements, and to attend many sessions is a responsibility and a privilege that we appreciate every time we walk onto the main plaza and see the long line of flags from the 193 Member States. Founded in the ashes of World War II, the UN remains a powerful global forum seeking to prevent further man-made disasters and to enable all citizens of our Earth to achieve a standard that provides dignity and basic human rights to all people. How could we fail to be moved when we report to attend meetings at such a forum of hope? In addition to our presence at many sessions of the Commission on the Status of Women meetings, we also attend other sessions throughout the year, many organized by the Permanent Observer of the Holy See. What follows is just a small sampling of the many topics presented and debated over the course of this WUCWO mandate.

June 1, 2017 - Parenting and Optimal Child Development

July 12, 2017 - SDG 2 and ASDG 14: Caring for the Most Vulnerable to End Hunger and Care for the Oceans

July 14, 2018 - Importance of Nuclear Disarmament: A Discussion

UN New York (3 representatives)

61st session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW61)  

Pope Francis met  with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon along with his wife and members of his entourage at the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican. Secretary-General Ban also met with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State, along with Archbishop Antoine Camilleri, under-Secretary for the Holy See’s Relations with States.

Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls

The President General travelled to Geneva where she had a meeting with Nuncio Mons. Ivan Jurkovič on the collaborative work of WUCWO with the Permanent Mission of the Holy See to the UN Human Rights Council, in particular for the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The last meeting of experts of the International Forum, which is preparing the World Assembly to be held in December 2019, took place in Rome (17-18 June).

UN Geneva (3 representatives)

June 2016

WUCWO, as coordinator of Geneva's Forum of Catholic Inspired NGOs, co-organizes a parallel event on Amoris Laetitia.

March 2016

WUCWO Secretary General, Maria Lia Zervino, pronounced a joint oral statement on the protection of the family at the 31st session of theUN Human Rights Council in Geneva. 

Click here to watch the video. The statement is made at Chapter 31 (1h 03)

March 2016

WUCWO co-signed the oral statement prepared and presented by APG23 at the 31st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. 

March 2016

WUCWO co-signed an oral statement prepared and presented by APG23 at the 31st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva which condemns the sale of children.

The United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva has recently adopted an important resolution with regards to the Protection of the Family (A/HRC/29/L.25).

WUCWO, which currently coordinates the Working Group for the Family in the Forum for Catholic Inspired NGOs, in working together with Caritas Internationalis, Fondazione Giovanni XXIII, Point Coeur and the Justice and Peace Dominicans, played a supportive role throughout the drafting and adoption of this resolution by ensuring that the views of our organisations were expressed clearly to the Egyptian representative who led the process.

Some key points of the Resolution:

-Recognizes the family as the ‘natural and fundamental’ cell of society and as an ally against poverty, saying that it should therefore be supported in sustainable development programs.

-Encourages States to consider fiscal policies, investment plans and employment opportunities with respect to their impact on the well-being of families. And even encourages them, where necessary, to create observatory bodies to monitor family policies.

-Takes into account in particular the families composed of only mothers and children, highlighting the need for policies that protect against domestic violence and discrimination against women.

-Recognizes the work done by the associations of civil society to value the role of the family.

-Encourages the United Nations to incorporate the family perspective into the work of the Objectives of Post-2015 Development (SDG).

-Requests the High Commissioner to prepare a report on the impact of the implementation by States of their obligations regarding the protection of the family.

See the Resolution in: 

Statement at the 27th Regular Session ok the UN Human Rights Council (September 2014)

The UN human rights office has launched a media campaign promoting homosexual and transgender rights. The yearlong initiative, funded by outside sources, raises questions over the use of UN offices for what some governments will consider propaganda.

Our possibilities of action have been written and oral statements before the Human Rights Council.

At the Human Rights Session at the UN Geneva in March 2012, WUCWO co-signed:

An oral statement on the role of Faith-Inspired Organizations in the promotion and protection of the Right to Health. 

An oral statement on The Promotion and Protection of the Right to Health of People Living with HIV: the Engagement of Faith-Inspired Organizations

A written statement: Appeal for Urgent Attention to the Situation of Children Living with HIV or with HIV/TB co-Infection

5 (five) oral statements focusing on children's rights and the right to education in the following countries: Venezuela,Thailand,Haiti,Togo and Timor Leste.

Oral statement: Right to Development: from rhetoric to action of which the main point was that the implementation of the right to development is successful only if centered on the human person.

Very important was the General Debate at the Regular Session of the Human Rights Council Panel Discussion on “Discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity”. We submitted an oral statement: “Toward Preserving the Universality of Human Rights”.  The Human Rights Commission’s report met with strong opposition and during this debate  and on March 7th the delegates of UN member states in the Organization of Islamic Conference, representing 57 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, walked out of the Palais des Nations in protest. The United States and European countries welcomed the report…

Intervention of Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič to the United Nations International Conference in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace

Virginie Rotheÿ

WUCWO International Representative to UNESCO

During these four years, there were two UNESCO General Conferences in 2015 (38th) and 2017 (39th). I was able to meet with many delegations (Canada, Cameroon, Morocco, Egypt and some European countries), to introduce WUCWO and inform them of the existence of an NGO affiliated to WUCWO in their country.

Address by WUCWO's International Representative, Maryvonne Kayser, at UNESCO at the 39th session of the General Conference.

This speech was delivered on Monday, 6 November, 2017, in a plenary session of general policy, presenting the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations.

Read de address below (in French).

UNESCO (3 representatives)

For NGOs in partnership with UNESCO, click here to sign the declaration

For organisations who do not hold official partnership with UNESCO click here to sign as a supporting organisation

To read more click here

To read more click here

Click here to read the news in French only

For the first time in its 12-year history, the outcomes of the 8th UNESCO Youth Forum (29-31 October 2013) to be presented to the UNESCO General Conference (5-20 November 2013) will include, besides strategic recommendations, 15 youth-led action projects (3 projects per each of the 5 UNESCO regions). The deliberations of the independent international jury are over, and the short-list of 45 Action Projects that will be discussed at the 8th UNESCO Youth Forum is now available!

In the framework of capacity building for science education, UNESCO is organizing the workshop on the global Microscience Experiments in Gabon from 16 to 19 September 2013.

During the whole week, more than 50 teachers in science will be trained as trainers and will have to do several experiments in chemistry.

In addition to this workshop, a dedicated exhibition will be held to celebrate the International Year of Water Cooperation. This exhibition is organized by "Deyrolles pour l’avenir" under the new framework agreement between UNESCO and Deyrolle. Teachers who attend this event will go back to their school with posters on water cycle to make aware students of primary and secondary level on the importance of water, its rarity, and its value.

See more at: http://en.unesco.org/events/promoting-girls-scientific-excellence-gabon#...

Our presence at FAO has developed on two different levels:

1. By participating to the life of FORUM on Catholic inspired NGOs
2. As member of Ad Hoc Group (AhG)which gathers most of the NGOs  acknowledged by the FAO.

The work in AhG is mostly related to the main themes which are dealt at FAO and the possible contribution we can offer.

FAO (2 representatives)

Our President General attending FAO's 41st Session Conference on "The State of Food and Agriculture: Migration, Agriculture and Rural Development" in Rome, 22-29 June 2019.

The migration monitoring unit

Migration: this unit is an alternative between retention and migration. A manual of good practices will be applied. NGO participation through human rights proposals.

Council of Europe (2 representatives)

Click here to read an update on the European Parliament's stance on surrogacy (only available in French)

The third 2014 session of the Council of Europe took place from 22nd to 26th of June in Strasbourg, France.

Part one : Activities of the PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe)

Part two : A Selection of Documents

Part Three : COING (Conference of international NGO) Activities

The second 2014 session of the Council of Europe took place from 7th to 11th of April in Strasbourg, France.

Part one : Activities of the PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe)

Part two : A Selection of Documents

Part Three : COING (Conference of international NGO) Activities

Part one: Activities of the PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe)

Part two: A Selection of Documents

Part three: COING (Conference of international NGO)  Activities - WUCWO Activities

STRASBOURG, August 2, 2013 (C-FAM) European ministers disappointed abortion groups last month when they failed to say that abortion is a human right. They cited lack of consensus in Europe.