14 prize winners were awarded again in 2007 and their profiles are published on the Internet (www.woman.ch). We invite you to nominate candidates for the 2008 Prizes for rural women. Guidelines www.woman.ch/women/1-guidelines

Our Travelling Exposition of 331 prize winners was shown at the United Nations in Geneva during the 6th Human Rights Council session (September 2007). WWSF received support and many endorsement letters for this initiative. The Exhibit can be visited on line www.woman.ch/women/1-expositions

Announcement: We are happy to inform you that the United Nations General Assembly (6 November 2007 - 62nd session) “decided to declare that 15 October of each year shall be officially proclaimed and observed as the International Day of Rural Women.” This is a gift of empowerment for us and an acknowledgement of our annual world campaigns convened over the past 11 years which resulted in a UN Resolution Day - 15 October for rural women. The world is becoming aware that ending poverty must begin in rural areas where 70% of the poor live. We invite you to continue to make 15 October a powerful day for rural women around the world and highlight the contributions made by them for development and peace.
Our annual Open Letter to rural women of the world had as its theme in 2007 “Claim your right to food”. www.woman.ch/women/2-poster

WWSF members and friends have generously contributed again to this program. Close to 30’000.- Swiss Francs (US$ 27’000) have been raised in 2007 for the economic autonomy of rural women. Let us hope that over the next decade we will see the difference micro-credit is making in the lives of the poorest in the world. We invite you to continue to sponsor the Mali sheep project and to be assured that 100% of your donations are transferred to our Mali NGO partner, Promothée.