WCW International Work

At the Wellesley Centers for Women (WCW) we are committed to strengthening our international connections and collaborations. We believe we have much to learn from women around the globe, as well as much to share. WCW has nongovernmental organization (NGO) status at the United Nations which facilitates our participation in this international work. We are committed to continuing and deepening our research and policy-focused programs in order to better understand and offer solutions to the challenges facing women and girls.

Recent initiatives with a strong international focus include:

Promotion of Convention of the Rights of the Child/CEDAW as Complementary Frameworks for National, Regional and Global Action
This project in collaboration with UNICEF addresses, through research and analysis, the way in which women's and children's rights intersect with legislative reform. In addition to the development of two important papers on child marriage and child labor, was the organization of a groundbreaking conference in Bangkok, Thailand that brought together leaders in the field of women’s rights and children’s rights to examine how linking the agendas in the Children’s Rights Convention (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) can be mutually reinforcing.

Convene Asia Regional Law Reform Working Group and Train the Trainer Seminar
This program brings together a working group of lawyers and jurists from Asia to focus on law reform in the region. The working group is examining the role that gender-based strategic litigation can play in advancing equality, non-discrimination, and human rights In addition, the working group is exploring ways to establish a regional network of lawyers and jurists to ensure that civil, political, social, economic, and cultural rights are legally enforceable. Workshops will consist of training on the strategic litigation of women’s human rights.

Technical Support to Ford Foundation Grantees Working on Women’s Rights Issues in China
This project allows for ongoing technical assistance to Ford Foundation grantees working on the advancement of a women’s rights agenda in China. Anticipated projects include: convening a roundtable on implementation of the Law on the Protection of Women’s Rights and Interests (LPWRI); providing model laws and guidelines from the Asia region on sexual harassment that feature a clear definition of harassment; establishing policies and procedures for dealing with reported instances of sexual harassment; and facilitating discussion with women’s groups to encourage the political participation of women.

SEED Project on Inclusive Curriculum (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity)
The SEED Project, a staff development equity project for educators, prepares teachers to lead their own year-long seminars in public and private schools on making curricula, teaching methods, and school climates more gender-fair, multicultural, and international. The project provides various types of technical assistance throughout the year for SEED seminars, which have now been led by coordinators in over 30 U.S. states, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Toronto, Vancouver, and Dar Es Salaam.