FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Stacy Dry Lara, Executive Director
sdl@graduatewomen.org, Tel: +41 22 731 23 80
Geneva, Switzerland, 21 March 2024 – As the world commemorates the International Day for the Eliminationof Racial Discrimination on March 21st, Graduate Women International (GWI) reaffirms its commitment tocombating all forms of racial discrimination through the safe access to quality education and lifelong training.
Aligned with the 2024 theme, "A Decade of Recognition, Justice, and Development: Implementation of theInternational Decade for People of African Descent," GWI emphasizes the critical importance of recognizing,promoting justice, and fostering development for people of African descent, alongside combating racial
discrimination globally.
Stemming from historical significance dating back to 1966, when it was adopted by the United Nations General
Assembly, this day commemorates tragic events such as the massacre of 69 peaceful demonstrators in South
Africa in 1960 followed, in 2002, by the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), a comprehensive
framework for combating racism and related issues. GWI aligns with the DDPA in stressing the importance ofpromoting diversity and inclusion within educational systems and tailoring its international advocacy toinfluence policies towards such.
Emphasizing the pivotal role of education and reiterating GWI’s more than century-long commitment toleveraging education for social change, GWI President, Patrice Wellesley-Cole says, “For 105 years, GWI has
stood by the conviction that education plays a pivotal role in reducing racial discrimination, empowering
individuals to challenge biases, promote understanding, and advocate for a more just and equitable society.”
GWI plays a pivotal role in supporting the equipping of teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills tocultivate inclusive learning environments. Through its global network of graduate women, GWI provides
resources, training programs, and advocacy initiatives, that empowers educators to effectively addressincidents of racism and discrimination within educational settings. This underscores the critical role ofeducation in creating a culture of tolerance, respect, and equality. GWI resources serve as powerful tools in
the fight against racism and discrimination.
Women from minority backgrounds face compounding challenges, including racial and gender biases. Racism,racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance manifest differently for women and girls, exposing
them to gender-specific forms of violence and exploitation. Migrant and refugee women are particularly
vulnerable to discriminatory practices, often forced into informal sectors where their rights are disregarded.
Education serves as a tool to recognize and challenge such practices, fostering resilience. The GWI Hegg Hoffet
fund supports displaced graduate women, aiming to facilitate their re-entry into professional fields andintegration into their asylum countries through language courses.
About GWI: GWI is a membership-based international NGO based in Geneva, Switzerland, with presence inover 60 countries. Founded in 1919, GWI is the leading girls’ and women’s global organisation advocating for
women’s rights, equality, and empowerment through access to quality education and training up to the highestlevels. GWI is in special consultative status with ECOSOC since 1947 and is an NGO maintaining official relations
with UNESCO and ILO.
###Contributing to this press release is Sophia Schaaper GWI intern.