Change of chairpersons in GNWS

In March during the meeting of Global Network of Women’s Shelter Bandana Rana stepped down as chair of GNWS and Chi Hui-Jung was chosen as the new chair.
Chi Hui-Jung is the CEO of the Garden of Hope Foundation and a well-known Taiwanese activist, who pioneered advocating for the establishment of laws to prevent gender violence, initiated plans to build shelters for domestic violence survivors, and founded the Formosan Daughter Awards to encourage girls to challenge gender stereotypes.

Statement from Chi as the new chair of GNWS:

‘I would like to thank Bandana Rana for her leadership. She has been a wonderful ambassador for GNWS and a great leader for not just the shelter movement, but for women all over the world. Although she is stepping down in her official position as GNWS chair, we know that she will continue to work for shelters and fight to end violence against women. As the new chair of GNWS I will continue to strengthen GNWS as a networking platform for shelter organizations and domestic violence protection and prevention organizations. Actions will continue to focus on three main interlocking areas: advocacy, research & development and networking.’

We know that – although Bandana is stepping down in her official position as GNWS chair, she will continue to work for shelters and fight to end violence against women.

GNWS will continue to work as a networking platform and peak body for shelter organizations and domestic violence protection and prevention organizations. Actions will continue to focus on three main interlocking areas: advocacy, research and development and networking.

In the next two years as we lead up to the 4th World Conference of Women’ Shelters, GNWS will provide networking opportunities to members through the conference, and strengthen distribution of research tools and resource materials to make knowledge available to members.

GNWS advocacy will be informed by research and development to help member organizations effectively use international platforms and human rights instruments to campaign for structural reform in their countries and regions. GNWS will also continue to promote shelter services at CSW and other global gatherings.

I look forward to working closely with the new co-chairs – Cindy Soutworth from USA and Julie Oberin from Australia – and the rest of the board of directors, and meeting and learning from other members of the GNWS family in the lead up to and beyond the 4th World Conference.