On the eve of International Women’s Day, the International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics (iKNOW Politics) was launched in Latin America and Europe. On March 3, iKNOW Politics partners and supporters gathered in Mexico City and Brussels to celebrate women’s achievements in politics and to introduce iKNOW Politics to women leaders, government representatives, activists, and practitioners.

The iKNOW Politics launch in Brussels was hosted by the European Parliament and gathered together more than 100 high level guests and dignitaries. Mrs. Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, Vice-President of the European Parliament, and Mrs. Madeleine Albright, former United States Secretary of State, made introductory remarks that were followed by a round table discussion with experts and policymakers, including Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Competition, Nouzha Skalli, Moroccan Minister of Social Development, Family and Solidarity, and Winnie Byanyima, former Ugandan MP, now UNDP Director for Gender. Afterwards, the event participants had a chance to ask the panellists questions and listen to a brief presentation about the iKNOW Politics website made by Osnat Lubrani, Director of UNIFEM Europe. The public was also invited to log-on to the iKNOW Politics website and instantly become its members.

The launch in Mexico City brought together over 450 guests as well as local and national media. Ms. Epsy Campbell, President of the Citizen Action Party (PAC) of Costa Rica, opened the event with a key-note speech, which was followed by the panel discussion with the participation of Ruth Zavaleta, President of the Lower House of Mexican Congress; Ramona González García, former Mayor of Huajuapan de León, Oaxaca; and Martha Sánchez Néstor, State Director of the Guerrero Coordination for Indigenous Women. During the discussions, Mr. Magdy Martínez, Resident Coordinator of the UN System in Mexico, commented that “to speak about women in politics is to speak about human rights in a context that is broader than consolidating democratic reform. When we disaggregate the national indicators we observe that women continue living with the worst rates on the established goals, especially the Millennium Development Goals.” The event concluded with giving the participants an opportunity to log-on to the iKNOW Politics website and explore its online tools and resources. Martha Sánchez Néstor made remarks about iKNOW Politics saying that “it is an inviting website, not cold, which gives the sense that there are women on the other side trying to give us a hand and strengthen us.”

On the day of these launches, more than 4,700 people visited the iKNOW Politics website and about 90 users have become iKNOW Politics members. Currently, iKNOW Politics has over 2,000 members worldwide and provides more than 1,000 easily accessible online resources! iKNOW Politics is looking forward to further expand its outreach and mobilize new users in order to support the participation of women in politics.

Click here to view the interview with Madeleine K. Albright, Former Secretary of State of the United States.