Constitutional policy of Diaspora African Women in Development Association
The human resources and strategic potential of African women and youth living in Denmark and other Nordic &EU countries can contribute to democratic governance in much the same way that they currently contribute to economic welfare and development in their countries of origin.
The African diaspora institutions and organisations in the EU member states s have a minimal presence in development circles because; they are yet not as ‘mainstream’ development agents. In observing, a few exceptions there are some, particularly in the area of community development projects, which fall within the framework of ‘co-development’ schemes promoted by a few member states, notably, Denmark, France, Italy and Spain, among others.
There is great focus on the purely material development that the Diasporas mediate and not on the ‘non-economic’ aspects such as the promotion of democratic life, good governance, the rule of law, human rights protection and fostering peace and security, women and youth participation, gender equality and equity, in their home countries. For the purposes of creating new and enhancing the existing policies for feasible interventions in Sub-Saharan countries, there is urgent call for creation of an enabling/viable environment for African women and youth living in Denmark, other Nordic & EU countries. There is therefore, need for establishing an association within which the afore-mentioned women and youth can address the issues of concern, stated above. Thus playing their role as agents of change in sustainable development in their host countries as well as in their countries of origin in Africa.
NAME/AIMS AND OBJECTIVES/MEMBERSHIP
There is hereby constituted and established the association.
Name of association
The association’s name shall be, Diaspora African Women in Development Association (DAWIDA).
Language/s
In its daily activities, the association will conduct its work in Danish and English – all depending on the need.
Status
The association will be an independent entity, with a status of a civil society organization (CSO), also known as a non-governmental organization (NGO). In Danish: Frivilling forening.
Office Address
The Office of Diaspora African Women In Development Association at:
DAWIDA
c/o Kai-Erichsen APS
Gersonsvej 13
2900 Hellerup
Denmark
Telephone: +45 26 85 09 61
1. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The aims and objectives of Diaspora African Women In Development Association (DAWIDA) shall be the same as those set out in the Association’s Constitution and, in addition it shall be the duty of DAWIDA to:
2. MEMBERSHIP
3. The DAWIDA Executive Committee
There shall be an Executive Committee which acts as the principal organ for the implementation of Association policies and the administration of the affairs of DAWIDA constituted by:-
3.1 CHAIRPERSON
There shall be a DAWIDA Chairperson whose main functions and responsibilities shall be:-
3.1 THE VICE CHAIRPERSON
There shall be the vice chairperson for DAWIDA whose main functions and responsibilities shall be to chair in the absence of the chairperson or deputize her on any functions, as directed by the chairperson.
1. To conduct and receive all general correspondence relating to overall administration of DAWIDA.
2. To be the Secretary for the Executive Committee.
3. To maintain minutes of sessions of the board meetings and other records relating thereto.
4. To be responsible for the safekeeping of the records of DAWIDA.
5. To keep the Chairperson and the executive committee informed of the state of
DAWIDA and of developments on all issues.
6. To supervise, direct and coordinate the efficient administration of DAWIDA.
1. To raise funds and mobilize resources for DAWIDA.
2. Subject to the ASSOCIATION’s financial rules, regulations and guidelines, and supervision by
the secretary, to receive, deposit and account for all funds in an authorized bank account.
3. To keep accounts and records of all transactions assigned for use by DAWIDA.
4. To prepare and submit timely financial statements to the Board twice yearly or as requested.
⦁ There shall be a financial controller, whom will not be a member of the executive committee.
Names, positions and signatures of members of Executive Committee
Date:
The human resources and strategic potential of African women and youth living in Denmark and other Nordic &EU countries can contribute to democratic governance in much the same way that they currently contribute to economic welfare and development in their countries of origin.
The African diaspora institutions and organisations in the EU member states s have a minimal presence in development circles because; they are yet not as ‘mainstream’ development agents. In observing, a few exceptions there are some, particularly in the area of community development projects, which fall within the framework of ‘co-development’ schemes promoted by a few member states, notably, Denmark, France, Italy and Spain, among others.
There is great focus on the purely material development that the Diasporas mediate and not on the ‘non-economic’ aspects such as the promotion of democratic life, good governance, the rule of law, human rights protection and fostering peace and security, women and youth participation, gender equality and equity, in their home countries. For the purposes of creating new and enhancing the existing policies for feasible interventions in Sub-Saharan countries, there is urgent call for creation of an enabling/viable environment for African women and youth living in Denmark, other Nordic & EU countries. There is therefore, need for establishing an association within which the afore-mentioned women and youth can address the issues of concern, stated above. Thus playing their role as agents of change in sustainable development in their host countries as well as in their countries of origin in Africa.
NAME/AIMS AND OBJECTIVES/MEMBERSHIP
There is hereby constituted and established the association.
Name of association
The association’s name shall be, Diaspora African Women in Development Association (DAWIDA).
Language/s
In its daily activities, the association will conduct its work in Danish and English – all depending on the need.
Status
The association will be an independent entity, with a status of a civil society organization (CSO), also known as a non-governmental organization (NGO). In Danish: Frivilling forening.
Office Address
The Office of Diaspora African Women In Development Association at:
DAWIDA
c/o Kai-Erichsen APS
Gersonsvej 13
2900 Hellerup
Denmark
Telephone: +45 26 85 09 61
1. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The aims and objectives of Diaspora African Women In Development Association (DAWIDA) shall be the same as those set out in the Association’s Constitution and, in addition it shall be the duty of DAWIDA to:
- To develop a platform on which African Diaspora women's and youth’s organizations in Denmark and other Nordic and EU countries can exchange and share ideas and experiences. In addition, a platform for building on and monitoring alliances between the sustainable- development efforts of African women’s and youths’ organizations in Diaspora and those of women and youth in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- To mobilize the women of Sub-Sahara in Denmark and in other Nordic and EU countries in support of the Association.
- To spearhead the objectives, policies and programmes of DAWIDA.
- To combat gender discrimination in public and private life and in institutions. To work actively towards the dismantling and elimination of laws, customs, practices and structures which militate against women’s equality while opposing any strengthening of any such mechanisms.
- To co-operate with and participate in development interventions of Denmark and other Nordic & EU countries in addressing the challenges that face African women and youth.
- To promote women's participation in every sector of public life and to strive for women's participation in all fields of professions.
- To campaign for an end to all forms of violence against women, children and other vulnerable groups;
- To foster solidarity with progressive women’s organizations and groups in Sub-Saharan Africa, regionally and internationally.
- To campaign for a culture and recognition of women's rights as human rights.
- To advocate for the inclusion of African Diaspora women and youth in key development policy.
- To strengthen, well-informed and better-resourced African women's organizations and grassroots to promote the full participation women and girls in decisions- making processes across all spheres of the society.
- To facilitate a mentor-network that offers marginalized migrant women and youth (of any ethnic background) in Denmark, a support system in their integration into the Danish society and labour market. Hereunder, education for migrant youths.
2. MEMBERSHIP
- Membership in DAWIDA shall be open to all African and non-African women and youth – 18 years old and above in Denmark and other Nordic and EU countries, who will abide with the Association’s constitution.
- Every member of DAWIDA shall pay an annual prescribed non-refundable membership fee upon application for membership. The executive committee will stipulate and agree on the fee.
- Every member has will have the right to participate and contribute to the association’s activities and the right to elect and be elected for any position in the Association, in accordance to the rules set in the Association’s constitution.
- Membership terminates in the case of a member resigning, the executive committee’s decision or in the case of a member dying.
- The Annual General Meeting, will take place once a year in the month of March. Members will receive notification of the meeting in ample time.
- In the rise of unexpected urgent issues, an emergency meeting will take place at random to address the need, upon approval of 3 members of the Executive Committee.
3. The DAWIDA Executive Committee
There shall be an Executive Committee which acts as the principal organ for the implementation of Association policies and the administration of the affairs of DAWIDA constituted by:-
- The Chairperson
- Vice Chairperson
- The Secretary
- The Treasurer
3.1 CHAIRPERSON
There shall be a DAWIDA Chairperson whose main functions and responsibilities shall be:-
- To formulate and implement programs for the general education and awareness- raising of women designed to enhance the process of transformation and liberation of women from the bondage of illiteracy, ignorance, oppressive and obsolete customs, traditions and laws.
- To promote, sustain and foster the role of DAWIDA in relation to the ASSOCIATION, society, and all progressive organizations.
- To organize and encourage the establishment of self-reliance projects among all members of DAWIDA for their promoting, support to the ASSOCIATION and the social, political and economic development of Denmark and the respective countries they live in and/or their countries of origin.
- To oversee the establishment of relations with international organizations, institutions and solidarity groups.
- To chair all sessions of the board meetings. To promote, advise and defend DAWIDA policies at the Association’s meetings and all other fora.
3.1 THE VICE CHAIRPERSON
There shall be the vice chairperson for DAWIDA whose main functions and responsibilities shall be to chair in the absence of the chairperson or deputize her on any functions, as directed by the chairperson.
- THE SECRETARY
1. To conduct and receive all general correspondence relating to overall administration of DAWIDA.
2. To be the Secretary for the Executive Committee.
3. To maintain minutes of sessions of the board meetings and other records relating thereto.
4. To be responsible for the safekeeping of the records of DAWIDA.
5. To keep the Chairperson and the executive committee informed of the state of
DAWIDA and of developments on all issues.
6. To supervise, direct and coordinate the efficient administration of DAWIDA.
- THE TREASURER
1. To raise funds and mobilize resources for DAWIDA.
2. Subject to the ASSOCIATION’s financial rules, regulations and guidelines, and supervision by
the secretary, to receive, deposit and account for all funds in an authorized bank account.
3. To keep accounts and records of all transactions assigned for use by DAWIDA.
4. To prepare and submit timely financial statements to the Board twice yearly or as requested.
⦁ There shall be a financial controller, whom will not be a member of the executive committee.
Names, positions and signatures of members of Executive Committee
- RITA KNIGHT JUUL ANDERSEN, Chairperson ………………………………………………………………………………………………
- LYNETTE MUNK, Vice Chairperson ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- SALOME SCHARLING, Secretary ……………………………………………………………………………….………………………………
- SELUSWEYINKOSI MAQEDA, Treasurer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
- PAMELA MARY LOUIS, Communication & Public Relations ………………………………………………………………………………
Date: