The Women Thrive Worldwide Gender Roundtable at IREX

They Are Not Just Starving: Challenges Facing Women and Girls in the Horn of Africa

INVITATION

Wednesday, November 30th; 3:30 – 5pm

IREX 2121 K Street, NW Suite 700 Washington, DC 20037

Please join a dynamic panel of experts to discuss a range of women’s and girls’ needs – from protection, food security, and building livelihoods – and innovative approaches for addressing them and continuing challenges. Featuring a panel of expert speakers:

• Ritu Sharma, Co-Founder and President, Women Thrive Worldwide

• Ariela Blätter, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Refugees International

• Jonathan Ernst, Photo-journalist, recently on assignment to the region for Lutheran World Relief and Reuters

• Hebah Reed, Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs, Islamic Relief USA

• Ann Steensland, Chief of Staff, Alliance to End Hunger

• Joan Timoney, Director of Advocacy and External Relations, Women's Refugee Commission Thirteen million people are facing drought, famine, displacement and nonstop violence in the Horn of Africa.

There has been an unprecedented relief effort by the U.S. and other governments, international NGOs and multilateral responders, but the unmet need remains stark – particularly for women and girls. For example, a recent UN assessment for the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya indicates that the majority of families in the camp are female-headed households and reported cases of rape have quadrupled.

Light Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by emailing Laura Tashjian at ltashjian@womenthrive.org. We look forward to your participation in this important discussion.