Sunday Stories: World Humanitarian Day and women dying in childbirth
On this World Humanitarian Day, let’s talk about something that has been on my mind.
In late 2014, I visited the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, and had the opportunity to interview its Director of Communications about the work the UN is doing around the world. I asked about the UN’s major areas of concern for women, particularly in underdeveloped nations. What I learned opened my eyes.
What I discovered is this: women are dying while giving birth at an alarming rate.
Woman working at a loom in Assam, India.
Every day, approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). And 99% of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries. While you might expect it, maternal mortality is higher in women living in rural areas and among poorer communities.
You don’t have to be a woman or a parent to be touched by this issue. I have no biological children of my own and yet this situation touches me deeply. It touches me right to my core because I am a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a lover. It connects with something deep inside me – the woman I am.
When I think of hundreds of women dying every day, it shakes up the humanitarian in me; the one who observes the world on my travels to places known and unknown; regions where women are treated with dignity and respect – and regions where they are not. It has awaked the witness in me and the writer who loves to be on the road and deeply desires documenting the moment.
There are many reasons for maternal mortality, from lack of resources and health care, to the general oppression and undervaluing of women as a way of life. While the maternal death rates have decreased in some areas around the world, they have increased in North America. In Canada, the maternal mortality for Indigenous women is higher than that of other groups.
We have the ability to find solutions to this major problem. I am only one person, but I hope that I will be able to, one day, contribute to a meaningful solution.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read my Sunday Story
Love xo
Shannon
Shannon’s Sunday Stories is a new initiative of stories of personal challenge and pivotal moments to inspire readers, published on Shannon’s Facebook page every Sunday. And now, here.
Shannon Skinner is a broadcaster, author, international speaker and travel writer. Tweet to her at @Shannon_Skinner.
What’s Cookin’ at United Nations Geneva
Something is cooking at the United Nations Geneva.
The United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland has recently published a unique cookbook, Recipes for Peace, Rights and Well-being, which shares the secrets of many “recipes” for its peace and humanitarian initiatives that have changed the world, combined with superb recipes from some of Geneva’s most celebrated chefs.
The cookbook is part of the International Geneva Perception Change project, which was launched in 2014 to highlight the impact of the work done by all of the UN and international organizations, NGO’s and other institutions based in Geneva.
On a recent visit to the UN, I met with Corinne Momal-Vanian, Director of Information Service and Spokesperson for the United Nations Geneva Office, to learn more about the UN’s initiatives. The cookbook was hot off the press.
“It’s part of a project we call the ‘Perception Change Project,’ which is to explain better to people about what we do and how our work impacts the lives of people around the world,” “says Momal-Vanian. “We decided one way to do this is to publish a cookbook with some real recipes donated by top chefs in Geneva, and at the same time have each organization that works in this international city describe, in the form of a recipe, what they do. For instance, for the Red Cross it would be, ‘the ingredients of a few committed people, a dash of international law,’ and so on, and as a recipe you get ‘protection of civilians.'”
Considering Geneva is the world’s capital of peace and is also renowned for its international cuisine, and some of its chefs are known around the world, this is a beautiful blend of some of the things that makes Geneva so special.
The recipes prepared by International Geneva have direct and daily impact on every person on this planet. ~ Michael Moller, Acting Director-General, United Nations Office at Geneva (quote on the book’s cover)
The cookbook is written in both English and French languages, is intellectually stimulating, thought-provoking, practical, and is filled with beautiful photography depicting the organizations and their work, and the city of Geneva. At the same time, it provides delicious recipes you can make in your kitchen.
Adds Momal-Vanian: “We think it’s going to be successful because it talks in direct and simple ways, but with beautiful imagery and photos, about what we do here.”
Some examples of these recipes include:
• The Geneva Conventions
• Cooking up Peace: Geneva Peace Talks
• Ethical fashion – International Trade Centre
• Scientific discoveries – CERN
• Recipes for Sustainable Fashion – UNECE/FAO Forestry and Timber Section
• International Civil Defense – ICDO
• Aid for Trade – World Trade Organization
As for the food, each contributing chef provides a menu of recipes for a starter, main course and dessert. The dishes range from soufflés, to Masaledar lamb chops, to squash ravioli to frogs legs — and irresistible desserts.
The recipes are provided by many Geneva establishments including: Chef Saverio Sbaragli, Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues; Chef Salvatore Marcello, the Grand Hotel Kempinski; Chef Gianluca Re Fraschini, InterContinental Hotel; Beatrice Tollman, Hotel d’Anglettere; and Chef Prashant Chipkar from one of my favourite restaurants, Rasoi by Vineet (gourmet Indian) at the Mandarin Oriental, Geneva – among others.
“Food unites all different nationalities and what better way to demonstrate culinary recipes to the world in difficult times,” says Lars Wagner, General Manager, Manadrin Oriental Hotel, Geneva. “A cookbook with such an irresistible name was a natural for us to participate in and support the organizers. Geneva is such an international city and Rasoi by Vineet is so well known that we wanted to be alongside this mission for a good cause.”
The catch? Many of the “special” ingredients used in these recipes can only be found in Geneva, though the recipes can be replicated anywhere in the world.
For more information, contact perceptionchange@unog.ch. Visit the UN’s website at www.unog.ch.
For information about Geneva, visit Geneva Tourism and Switzerland Tourism.
Shannon Skinner is an inspirational speaker, writer and host and producer of the television and online series, “Extraordinary Women TV.”
Tune-in tonight for episode 4 of Extraordinary Women TV on Rogers TV
Tune-in tonight for episode 4 of Extraordinary Women TV on Rogers TV
Special guests Joelle Adler and Laura Berg
TORONTO, Oct. 7, 2013 – Tune-in tonight for episode four of season two’s Extraordinary Women TV, when host Shannon Skinner speaks with guests visionary entrepreneur and humanitarian, Joelle Adler, CEO, Diesel Canada and Founder, OneXOne Foundation, about how she is making a difference in the lives of others in Canada and around the globe. Plus, You Tube sensation, Laura Berg, president, My Smart Hands, discusses her initiative that teaches baby sign language and how to use You Tube for business success. The show airs at 7:00pm ET on Rogers TV Cable 10 & 63 in Toronto/Scarborough.
The hit television series began as the first-of-its-kind web TV talk show for women in Canada, and has grown into an inspirational, relevant and informative resource for women who want to follow their hearts and dreams, and live extraordinary lives. In January 2013, the show began airing on Rogers TV in Toronto/Scarborough. This past summer, the show was also picked up on Rogers TV Mississauga and Richmond Hill.
Shannon’s guests are successful women from all walks of life – many high-profile — from Toronto and across Canada, from a range of industries, including: arts and entertainment, business, finance, charities, eco, media, experts – and more. The show’s second season will also include insightful interviews with one of Canada’s most successful women, TV personality and designer, Debbie Travis; and many more.
Some past notable guests include: singers Jully Black, Sarah Slean and Suzie McNeil; entertainment editor at 680 News, Gloria Martin; dean of law faculty at the U of T, Mayo Moran; fashion designer and Canadian icon, Linda Lundstrom; president/CEO, ROM, Janet Carding; Rebecca MacDonald, founder, Just Energy; actress Sarena Parmar; Plan Canada’s president/CEO, Rosemary McCarney; beauty expert, Cheryl Gushue; among many others.
More than 230 one-on-one, in-studio interviews have been archived since its inception in September 2010. Extraordinary Women TV is produced and owned by Shannon Skinner and Comfy Chair Productions Inc., and is filmed in Toronto.
Rogers TV Toronto’s full scheduling information: click here.
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Media contact:
Shannon Skinner
416-576-8809
www.ExtraordinaryWomenTV.com
http://www.ShannonSkinner.com
shannon@skinnerpublicity.com
