Scholastique Kompaoré was National Coordinator of the Burkina Faso (then Upper Volta) pilot Project for Equal Access of Women and Girls to Education, and a pioneer of advocacy and action for female education and advancement. Mrs. Kompaoré directed the United Nations Development Programme’s initiative, “Strengthening Civil Society Capacities to Combat Poverty” in Central Africa. She was also the Harare-based Coordinator of the UN Volunteers’ Domestic Development Service, an exchange of community development workers in Africa south of the Sahara. She then served as the Ouagadougou-based President of the Burkina arm of the World March of Women. More information at: equalityburkina.blogspot.com Mary Koutselini is Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Cyprus, Chair holder of the UNESCO chair in Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, Head person of the Department of Education, Head person of the Center of Gender studies of the University of Cyprus. Areas of Specialization and research interest: Teachers´ Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Gender Studies, Citizenship education. Coordinator of International, European and National Research programs. Contact information: edmaryk@ucy.ac.cy Brenda Gael McSweeney is Visiting Faculty at Boston University’s Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies Program where she teaches Gender & International Development, and is Resident Scholar at the Women's Studies Research Center (WSRC) at Brandeis University, both in Massachusetts, USA. She served with the United Nations for 30 years in executive positions including in West Africa and the Caribbean; in Europe heading the UN Volunteers programme; then in India as the United Nations Resident Coordinator and UN Development Programme Resident Representative. The Government of India with the UN System designated gender equality as the UN area focus. Brenda holds her Ph.D. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. She was the recipient of a Fulbright and awards from the Governments of Germany, Jamaica and Burkina Faso, as well as two honorary doctorates. Her research focuses on female education and empowerment in Burkina Faso, and a gender perspective on livelihoods in West Bengal, India (see related papers at The Global Network of UNESCO Chairs on Gender and at brendamcsweeney.com). She initiated the UNESCO/UNITWIN Network on Gender, Culture & Development.
The Sirleaf Market Women's Fund contributes a collectively authored chapter on its work addressing needs of Liberian market women. This case study was composed through the combined efforts and leadership of SMWF/US Co-President Thelma Awori, then Co-President Mina MauersteinBail, and Vice President Margaret (Peg) Snyder. Mary Lynn Hanley (formerly of UNDP) was the editor, and developed this chapter from a recent comprehensive study. Both documents were designed by SMWF Board Member Libby Bassett. Pia Brown (then-SMWF Executive Director) coordinated the field work for the original study in Liberia. Additional review and preparation were contributed by Almaz Gebru (United Nations Development Programme), Marnia Lazreg (SMWF Board Member), and Saul Helfenbein (SMWF-Liberia).
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