World Pulse Pulsing At Women Deliver!

After many years of trying, I was finally able to take part in a Women Deliver conference. From July 17th to 20th, the skies and roads were busy as over 6000 women across the globe flew with one destination in mind, Kigali - Rwanda for the just ended 2023 Women Deliver.

Rwanda has been a buckelt list on my list of places I have always wanted to visit after reading about their remarkable transformation of a war thorn country to a semi paradise of toursitic attraction. I was hoping this conference would be the get way to fulfilling two heart felt desires, attend a Women Deliver conference and at the same time, visit Rwanda.

The visit wasn't possible as I couldn't make it to Women Deliver in person for lack of funding. Nevertheless, with special thanks to Jensine and the commitment of World Pulse to always lift women up, it was an honour to be a part of the World Pulse virtual community at Women Deliver and what a moment that was!

The force and fire burning in the hearts of the women and #HeForHer men gathered at the Kigali conference centre was so bright and hot that it was felt across the screens of thousands of women following the conference across the world. It was a three days of learning and motivation. Of standing in solidarity and refusing to give up. Of learning on how movements are built and grown for the betterment of women and humankind. Of seeing women especially those from the global south stand powerful to claim their voices and rightful positions in the feminist movement as they challenged existing status quo and dared to hold power acountbale.

The willingness to create space, to work in solidarity towards seeking lasting solutions was tangible and felt across the screens and this was evident by the many young people who were given opportunities to claim their stances and let their voices be heard be it in climate change or sexual reproductive rights or calling and holding leaders accountable.

There were a lot to ponder and a lot of lessons learnt. Day one was especially one to remember because I watched the greater part of the plenary sessions with my young niece, a medical doctor in training. I remember the Lady from Afghanistan who was on the penal with the presidents of Senegal and Hungary. Her passion to educate girls against the odds was laudable but I think she missed a big moment. When she was asked by the moderator what she needed, I held my breathe and was kind of a bit disappointed when she went on to speak about terrorism. Of course, terrorism is very much alive in our world today and we are all aware of that because the world has become a global village and we are more or less aware of it's consequences even if we are not in most cases, directly at the receiving end.

I was sad because she missed an opportunity to get the thousands of people both online and in person to support her drive for girls'education. When I heard the "what do you need?" I interpreted it as "how can we help you better achieve your dreams?" That was an opportunity to talk about her dreams for her schools, the need for scholarships, anything that could help her help these girls. I think Ms Shabana missed the memo that opportunity meets preparedness. I did like how the moderator didn't give up but tactfully nudge the Presidents on the panel to pledge support.

The lesson here was that, always be ready especially, with a pitch because when faced with such, a good pitch would open you many beautiful doors of opportunities towards your goal of empowering others.

All in all, it was a beautiful experience. A few days well spent online and the efforts at inclusion, laudable. It was difficult to build meaningful connections online but, it was a beautiful opportunity to be a part of this conference, a part of history being made in Africa.

As the curtains came to a close, with so much take home lessons, I could feel the tempo of World Pulse Pulsing away through the beautiful pictures of meetings of other world pulsers in person. The pulse will sure be pulsing for a long time to come as we all ponder about lessons learnt and how to make the Rwanda declarations towards a safer, more inclusive and solution driven world for women to thrive come to pass.