For International Women’s Day, Frank van Lierde converses with Anne Kwakkenbos, Cordaid’s Gender Expert, who reflects on the impact of rising conservatism and budget cuts on the global gender equality movement. ‘Over the past century, we’ve made tremendous progress. Now, we’re moving backward.’

The story of Easter includes the story of three women who were the first to discover that Jesus had overcome death and who brought the good news of a new beginning into the world. Women were, are and will be always vital witnesses, messengers and actors in bringing change to the world, although this is not always recognised.

That is why Cordaid, every year, around the time of Easter, organises a debate with female thought leaders who share their wisdom and provide us with inspiration for our work across the globe in the years to come.

This year’s theme: Crisis and resurrection, the need for a feminist perspective on bringing about change.     

The three wise women discussed a wide variety of challenges, such as polarisation in the political and public debate and how a feminist perspective could lead to inclusive, equitable solutions.

Speakers:

Bea ten Tusscher - Special Envoy Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Freedom of Religion and Conviction

Niloufar Rahim - General practitioner, Ambassador Connecting Diaspora for Development, and Board Member of the Keihan Foundation

Evelijne Bruning - Director of The Hunger Project NL

Moderator:

Kathleen Ferrier - Former Member of Parliament and Chair of the Dutch UNESCO

In this first episode, journalist Frank van Lierde and expert on health systems, Maarten Oranje, have an in-depth chat about how you can sustainably improve health care in fragile and conflict-affected regions. They zoom in on a specific area they have both visited, a health centre in Jimma, Ethiopia, to practically illustrate what effective methods organisations can use to ensure quality health care in challenging contexts.