World YWCA Advocacy and Communications

World YWCA Advocacy and Communications Short term Internship Programme 2017 General Information

The World YWCA established its Internship Programme to enhance and further develop young women's leadership. The World YWCA advocacy internships offer the opportunity for a minimum of two young women from YWCAs in Overseas Development Assistance listed countries, detailed in the terms of reference below, to develop their skills and knowledge on advocacy and activism through training and exposure to the work and mechanisms of the UN system. This typically includes participation in one UN or international event such as the annual UN Commissions on the Status of Women or one of the sessions of the CEDAW Committee or UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The internship provides opportunities to develop expertise on global issues particularly in the World YWCA priority areas of young women’s leadership, sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV and violence against women. As part of the World Office team in Geneva, Switzerland, the internship provides opportunities to develop expertise on global issues particularly in the World YWCA’s global focus areas of:

• Transformative young women and girls’ leadership • Violence against women and girls • Child, early and forced marriage • Peace and justice • Sexual reproductive health and rights • Economic empowerment and information and communication technology • Social, economic and environmental justice and faith and culture

In October 2015, the World YWCA celebrated a landmark movement during its World Council meeting when members unanimously adopted a common Envisioning 2035 ‘BOLD AND TRANSFORMATIVE GOAL’: By 2035, 100 million young women and girls transform power structures to create justice, gender equality and a world without violence and war; leading a sustainable YWCA movement, inclusive of all women.”

Over the next four years 2016 – 2019, as the organisation moves toward this goal, the YWCA is committed to implementing a Strategic Framework which focuses on the following key strategic priorities:

• Strengthening Young Women and Girls Transformative Leadership, • Realising Human Rights, and • Sustaining the YWCA Movement.

You can find more information on our strategic plans for 2016 to 2019 on our website at https://www.worldywca.org Programme Objectives  To mobilise young women as advocates, champions and leaders on priority issues.  To develop skills, experience and knowledge in advocacy and representation among young women in YWCAs through active participation in the United Nation's mechanisms for the protection of human rights. Criteria for Selection  Successful candidates must be actively involved in their YWCA, either as a volunteer or staff member and demonstrate strong interest and enthusiasm in the World YWCA movement.  Generally applicants should have a minimum of two years active involvement with their YWCA.  Successful candidates must commit to sharing the experience gained with their YWCA and region following the internship, and their association must commit to integrating their leadership into the association upon their return.  A strong commitment to women's rights and leadership.  Previous experience in advocacy and/or activism on women’s rights is an asset.  A good working knowledge of English, both oral and written, is essential.  Applicants must be between 22 and 30 years of age.  Independent and self-reliant, willing to take initiative, creative, hard working, and flexible.  A commitment to sharing the experience gained with their YWCA following the internship.  Each candidate’s participation must be endorsed by her National YWCA and the association must commit to integrating the leadership/experience of a successful intern upon the return home.  Participants must be from an Overseas Development Assistance eligible country listed below. Africa Caribbean YWCA of Angola YWCA of Antigua YWCA of Benin YWCA of Belize YWCA of Botswana YWCA Grenada YWCA of Burkina Faso YWCA Guyana YWCA of Burundi YWCA of Haiti YWCA of Cameroon YWCA of Jamaica YWCA of Congo Brazzaville/AFCG YWCA of Montserrat YWCA of Democratic Republic of YWCA of St.Vincent & Congo the Grenadines YWCA of Ethiopia YWCA of Suriname YWCA of The Gambia Europe YWCA of Ghana YWCA of Albania YWCA of Kenya YWCA of Armenia YWCA of Lesotho YWCA of Belarus YWCA of Liberia YWCA of Georgia YWCA of Madagascar YWCA of Ukraine YWCA of Malawi Latin America YWCA of Mauritius YWCA of Argentina YWCA of Mozambique YWCA of Bolivia YWCA of Namibia YWCA of Brazil YWCA of Nigeria YWCA of Chile YWCA of Rwanda YWCA of Colombia YWCA of Sierra Leone YWCA of El Salvador YWCA of South Africa YWCA of Honduras YWCA of South Sudan YWCA of Mexico YWCA of Tanzania YWCA of Peru YWCA of Togo YWCA of Uruguay YWCA of Uganda Middle East YWCA of Zambia YWCA of Egypt YWCA of Zimbabwe YWCA of Jordan Asia YWCA of Lebanon YWCA of Bangladesh YWCA of Palestine YWCA of China Pacific YWCA of India YWCA of Fiji YWCA of Papua New YWCA of Indonesia Guinea YWCA of Malaysia YWCA of Samoa YWCA of Solomon YWCA of Myanmar Islands YWCA of Nepal YWCA of Pakistan

Dates and General Information: 1. UN Commision on the Status of Women (New York) - March 2017 2. UN Human Rights Council (Geneva) – June 2017 3. Committee on the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) – One of the sessions in February, July or October 2017 (Geneva) The deadline for applications is November 30, 2016. Applicants and their member associations will be informed early 2017. Costs and Provisions Travel Participants must possess a valid passport. The World YWCA will assist with letters of invitation and advice to facilitate the visa process, however it is the responsibility of the intern and her national association to obtain a visa for the country concerned. The World YWCA will cover the most economical and direct route airfare from and to the home country of the participant. Any additional contributions by the national association to the travel and accommodation costs would be greatly appreciated as funding for this programme must be continuously sought. Accommodation and Health Care The World YWCA is responsible for the accommodation, basic food allowance, local transport and health insurance.

Geneva, May 2016