“Women For the World” is a concept envisaging a more meaningful lives of the less privileged women around the work through the support and contribution of women who are more privileged in many ways in different parts of the world. This concept is pioneered by few visionary women in Australia, one of them is Mrs.Michelle, a board member of Caritas Australia.  The commitment that the pioneers exhibited to Social Justice and to helping vulnerable women across the world is indeed inspiring. The unseen, unknown and unheard women they support through conviction and are able to bring about changes in their lives is what amazed many!!!

Caritas Australia has been holding this event “women for the word Luncheon” since the last six years. This year around, Caritas Australia invited Ms. Mungreiphy. Shimray, ‘Manager-Strategy Plan Implementation and Capacity Building’, Caritas India to be the main speaker of the events, which was held in three major cities of Australia namely Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney respectively.

The event kicked off from Melbourne city on 6^th sept. 2019, wherein about 195 women and men participated. The Melbourne event was spearheaded by three dynamic lady volunteers – Cate Boyd, Ann Ryan and Esther Owen.  Clare Johnstone, a lawyer with a passion for social justice was the interviewer for the conversation with Ms. Mungreiphy Shimray in this event.

This was followed by the event in Canberra on 12^th Sept 2019, where in about 100 approx people participated.  The event was held at Golf Club, Canberra.  Ms. Genevieve was the master of ceremony for the event.

The women for the world event culminated with the Sydney event on 13^th Sept 2019, which was participated by approx. 180 people including the staff of Caritas Australia. Jacinta Tynan, a television journalist, author and columnist author was the master of Ceremony.

Ms. M. Shimray in her speeches highlighted the stories of changes particularly in the lives of marginalized women in rural India through the contribution of the women through Caritas Australia.  She narrated few case stories of changes especially of tribal women including PLwDs that highlighted the positive impact that the support of women and others Through Caritas Australia has created in the past years and sought for a continuous support as the need is huge.  She stressed upon reaching out to one woman, one family and one village at a time.

All these events were jointly organized by Caritas Australia team and Volunteers in all the cities. The true spirit of Volunteering is exhibited very strongly in all these events.  It is indeed motivating to see the passion of women for volunteering for a good cause.  The luncheon overall was well organized in all the three cities with raffles, silent Auction bids, contribution activities etc. amidst the sumptuous and delicious lunches.  The spirit of volunteering and sharing are the two major learning from these events.

Besides, these events she also visited Anti-slavery Office of the Arch-diocese of Sydney and interacted with the team and discussed on how we can collaborate to contribute to ensuring dignified work for everyone and prevent enslaving people. She also interacted with the students of standard VIII and X in Kincoppal Rose bay school and share the stories of changes. This was done with the intension of sensitizing the young mind on social justice concerns.  She expressed her gratitude to the school management for the opportunity to interact with them.

Caritas India remains grateful to Caritas Australia and all those who have been tirelessly working for the uplift of the less privileged people and communities in India.