Washington, DC – The International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Women’s Democracy Network (WDN) held its annual International Women’s Day conference from March 6-8 in Washington, DC. Women leaders representing several regions throughout the world traveled to the nation’s capital to participate in the conference, which focused mentorship, leadership and global awareness.

Participants included women from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brazil, Burma, China, Egypt, Georgia, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Macedonia, Moldova, Morocco, Peru, Romania, Sri Lanka, and the United States. The conference provided an opportunity for elected officials, representatives from civil society groups, independent activists and business leaders to share their stories of success and adversity as women working to build upon and affect change in their countries.

Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX) opened the conference with welcoming remarks and her personal story as mother, businesswoman, local city council member and current member the United States House of Representatives. In sharing her story, Representative Granger challenged the participants to reach out to women from their communities and encouraged them to join organizations, serve on council boards and to run for office. “I am where I am today, serving in Congress, simply because a friend called me and made the simple suggestion that I try.”

Luncheon keynote speaker Andrea Bottner, coordinator for the U.S. Department of State’s Office of International Women’s Issues, highlighted successes in democratic transitions and how her office and the Bush Administration influences this movement. In addition, Bottner discussed several country-specific women-focused initiatives where the United States is currently active, such as political advocacy training programs in Iraq and Afghanistan.

During the three-day conference, the WDN hosted a panel discussion entitled, Women in Politics from Closed Societies, with remarks from women activists from Belarus, Burma and Cuba. During their presentations, each panelist discussed the current political environment in their country; their work to bring about change and the challenges they face; what tactics work; and how they can connect with women in other regions of the world to bring international attention to their situation.

The evening of the conference’s first day, WDN presented the inaugural Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Awards honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of women in politics and civil society. The award was given to Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobrianksy; Nang Charm Tong of the Shan Women’s Action Network and Nang Yain of the Women’s League of Burma.

Members of the WDN delegation were also special guests at the United States Agency of International Development event, A Celebration of International Women’s Day: Empowering Women, Transforming Development, with featured remarks from First Lady Laura Bush. The First Lady recognized the delegation in her remarks and reminded women all over the world that United States supports the work they do. “We’re here today to tell our sisters around the world that we want them to join us. We’re here to tell them that the long walk to freedom and equality, even though sometimes it might be a tiresome journey, that it’s worth it. And the women of the United States are with them every single step of the way.”

The women concluded the conference with a session of feedback and goals for future WDN programs. Each participant outlined specific objectives for 2008, which included specialized training, mentorship programs and an expanded relationship with Washington, DC.