On March 12, as an ongoing effort of Buddha Light International Association to promote global gender equality and women’s empowerment, Venerable Zhi Qun from Fo Guang Shan New York Temple together with BLIA New York Director Helen Leong and BLIA Songhe Sub-Chapter President Eunice Shih participated in UN NGO CSW69 parallel forum in New York. They attended two parallel meetings: the “Empowerment for All Women through the Expression of Arts - Taiwan Mulan Forum” and the “Empowering Women Promoting Equality - YWCA Palestine Forum”.
Nafset Chenib, an internationally renowned Russian soprano who was born blind, is also an honored artist of the Republic of Adygea and is a recipient of the Pablo Casals Award for Musical Accomplishment and Human Endeavor. Speaking at the Taiwan Mulan Forum, she said that society has extreme high standards for the beauty of female appearance while disability is seen as unattractive and is overlooked. However, in the world of classical music, despite being purely sound-based, there are still visual elements that allow her to explore many topics.
Nafset Chenib shared how art can help women overcome challenges such as physical and mental disabilities, domestic violence, loss of family support, and unemployment. Through art programs and training provided by the Foundation, women are empowered to rebuild their self-confidence and find the value and meaning of life.
Mayaday Tarazi, the International Relations Manager for Operations at the YWCA-Palestinian noted the devastating impact of war on Palestinian women leaving them without their loved ones and homes overnight. Despite facing scarcity of supplies, these women demonstrate extraordinary courage for life, caring for and comforting their families, helping them navigate daily life amid conflict and fear. Tarazi called on everyone to unite regardless of race or religious, not only to support women’s equality but also to achieve the ultimate goal of world peace.
During the exchange with Mayaday Tarazi, Venerable Zhi Qun emphasized that since its establishment in 1992, BLIA has always adhered to an amicable attitude in engaging with other religious groups through their own religious and cultural characteristics and educational philosophies. BLIA is committed to global peace and gender equality. BLIA actively promote the Three Acts of Goodness: 1) Do good deeds; 2) Speak good words, and 3) Think good thoughts; and the Four Givings: 1) To give others confidence; 2) To give others hope; 3) To give others joy; 4) To give others convenience; in order to achieve the goal of Five Harmonies: 1) Individual harmony achieved through joy; 2) Interpersonal harmony achieved through respect; 3) Family harmony achieved through deference; 4) Social harmony achieved through cooperation; and 5) World harmony achieved through peace.
