Women who have transformed the World

Melinda McRostie, founder of Starfish Foundation, travelled to Segovia, Spain in March 2017 to attend and speak at the ‘Women who have transformed the World’ Conference.

The conference is held annually and creates a space for reflection, storytelling, and debate of the reality of women in different parts of the world. As Segovia City Council states, the conference is designed to discuss the unique stories of "renowned fighters for a fairer world" showing "the situation of women and their ability to transform and promote society."

In addition to hearing Melinda's story about the impact of the European "migrant crisis" on Lesvos, the conference had several inspirational key speakers including:

Claudia Hernández (From Guatemala) interviewed by Ana Pardo de Vera. “The Struggle for Justice. To survive violence and rebuild a life”

Claudia supports women and children who have experienced abuse within their family, and founded the organisation "Survivors Foundation".

Luz Marina Bernal

(From Colombia) interviewed by Alicia Gómez Montano “Peace is not possible without remembrance”. Luz Marina continues to work to fight against the scandal of the false identifications of the murderers of young men in Colombia. The Soacha Mothers Foundation supports the families of the victims.

Theresa Kachindamoto

(from Malawi) interviewed by Rosa Mª Calaf- “Against child marriage and sexual initiation rites for little girls”

Theresa is the first female head Chief of Malawi. She has prevented 2245 child marriages since 2012.

Leymah Gbowee

(from Liberia) interviewed by Pilar Requena- “How unity, prayer and sex strike transformed a nation at war”

Leymah the Noble Peace Prize in 2011 was one of the women who helped peacefully stop the civil war. Gbowee peace Foundation also funds girls so they can continue their education

Melinda McRostie

(From Greece) interviewed by Leila Nachawati.

“To act in the face of indifference. Improving the world of refugees on the Island of Lesvos”

Núria Salán

Awarded for her work encouraging and enabling women to recognize their talent and potential in the world of new technology . Given by the Foundation Orange Woman & Technology.

Read more about the conference, and the work of these remarkable women, here: http://mujeressegovia.com/category/2017/