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Four New York-based United Nations Women for Peace officers. From left: UNWFP Officers: Barbara Winston, Valbona Neritani, Carole Acunto and Aghnie Abi-Rafeh.
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“This first gathering of women from around the world to voice their support for all countries to end violence and other inhuman abuses against women and children was a moving experience and a heartening event,” said DMIA member Barbara Winston. “For us, American women who work in New York’s diamond, gem and jewelry industry and trade, it offered an opportunity to show our organization’s and our personal commitment to try and make if only a bit of a difference,”‘ she added.
“While during our business days, we concentrate on marketing products that romance the stone and express love, we need sometimes need to reminded that worldwide hundreds of thousands, if not millions of women are subjected to violence and cruelty on a daily basis. As a diamond industry organization, DMIA fully supports the principles of UN Women for Peace and it is proud to be one of the organization’s sponsors. Through the participation of DMIA representatives in the March on March 8, we were given a platform to actively voice our protest and concerns,” said Melissa Kulhanjian, a DMIA board member.
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DMIA President Ronnie VanderLinden pointed out that corporate and social responsibility can also be practiced close to home. “By supporting the goals of UN Women for Peace, right here in New York, we’re sending a clear, global message about what we stand for. DMIA is proud to be a supporter of these barrier breaking women,” he stated. He thanked Winston, Kulhanjian and also Donna Roy of the Willis Group, also a DMIA member, for their hard work toward and during this event.
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Hundreds gathered on a snowy and windy morning at the gates of the United Nations buidling and made their way to Dag Hammarskjold Park. Carrying a 20′ banner boldly announcing their cause, the marchers led by Mrs. Ban Soon-taek, wife of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and the Patron of the UN Women for Peace, along with international stars Susan Sarandon, Christy Turlington, Kelly Rutherford, Alexis Bledel, Alexandra Richards, and Monique Coleman as well as UN officials Lakshmi Puri, deputy director UN Women, Amb. Rosemary A. DiCarlo, U.S. Deputy Representative to the UN, Muna Rihani Al Nasser, the chair of UN Women for Peace and wife of Mr. Nasser Abdulaziz Al Nasser, the UN High-Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, and DMIA Board Member, Barbara Winston. The face of the 2013 March on March 8 was that of Malala Yousafzai, a young Pakistani girl who on 9 October 2012, was shot in the head and neck in an assassination attempt by Taliban gunmen while returning home on a school bus. Even before the assassination attempt, Malala was known as an impassioned advocate for education, despite reported death threats. Malala was just 12 when the Taliban shut down her school. In a statement released on February 4, she said: “I want every girl, every child to be educated. I have the right to an education. I have the right to speak. I have the right to sing. I have the right.“ Malala became the symbol of hope to young women around the world. Her videotape made for the UN Women for Peace appeared on all major media and networks and its message was read by Susan Sarandon at the March 8 program. UN Women for Peace stands with Malala and girls around the globe who advocate for the rights to education, equality and peace. When girls are educated, they empower their families, their communities and their generation. |