NDI celebrated the 100th International Women’s Day [2] on Tuesday, March 8, by participating in several events around the world. The Institute kicked off the celebration with an event in Washington featuring Kyrgyzstan President Roza Otunbayeva, who was in town to be recognized during the International Women of Courage awards at the State Department [3].

[4]

NDI also honored former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet by screening the documentary film [5] “La Hija Del General” (The General’s Daughter) that follows her successful 2006 campaign to become Chile’s first female president. In South Africa NDI co-hosted a dinner with the Commission for Gender Equality [6] featuring a prominent Namibian politician and former Ambassador, Nora Schimming-Chase along with representatives from the government sector, political parties, academics and the international community. At the same time in Pristina, Kosovo, Kathy Gest [7], NDI’s director of public affairs was speaking at an event co-hosted by the Informal Group of Women Parliamentarians (WIG) [8] with Laura Nichols [9], NDI’s resident director in Kosovo, and two Kosovar members of parliament: Donika Kada and Flora Brovina.

See these related stories about the role women are playing in strengthening democracy:

• “Women’s Participation Gains Ground, Faces High Hurdles” [10] - from NDI Reports, Spring 2011
• “Technology and the Other 50%: Women and ICT” [11] - from NDI’s Katherine Maher
• “Aid for Women, Children Goes 'Hand in Hand' With Stability” [12] - from the PBS NewsHour
• “International Women's Day Marks 100 Anniversary” [13] - from the NPR’s “Tell Me More”
• “Egyptian women try to redefine their role after revolution” [14] - from American Public Media’s “Marketplace”