Mercy’s Blessing International Organisations
Malawi, 2015United Nations’ Campaign ‘Keeping Girls in School’
The United Nations Joint Program for Girls’ Education in Malawi used Mercy’s Blessing to spearhead a nation-wide awareness campaign entitled Keeping Girls in School. The film’s director, May Taherzadeh, was invited to present at the launch of the campaign in Lilongwe, Malawi. She spoke about the power of film to inspire change. Partners included the European Union, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UN Women and its HeforShe campaign.
United states, 2017United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
Mercy’s Blessing was presented at a forum at the 61st United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York City. The film’s director, May Taherzadeh, led the discussion about how the film can be used to reinforce legislation around child marriages and Girl-Child education. Among the participants was a large group from Malawi, including UN Ambassadors, representatives, members of government, and a former First Lady of Malawi.
Belgium, 2018European Commission’s European Development Days
Mercy’s Blessing was screened at the European Development Days 2018 conference on the theme Women and girls at the forefront of sustainable development. An interactive discussion took place led by panelists on the relevance of the film to the conference theme, advancing the girl child, and the role of men and boys in gender equality.
Panelists included Vice President of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala, Minister-Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission, Mission of Canada to the EU Alan Bowman, Baha’i International Community Representative Rachel Bayani, Mercy’s Blessing director May Taherzadeh, and Assistant Professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Marina de Regt.
Canada, 20187th Parliament of the World Relgions
Mercy’s Blessing was screened at the 7th Parliament of the World’s Religions in Toronto as part of The Women’s Track: The Dignity of Women Across the World’s Wisdom Traditions. The film’s director, May Taherzadeh, and a Representative of the US Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs, Dr Negar Abay, shared the impact Mercy’s Blessing is having in many countries around the world in creating social change and the importance of challenging our assumptions about gender equality.
United States, 2017UNICEF Headquarters
Mercy’s Blessing was presented at the UNICEF headquarters for staff members from various departments. The film’s director, May Taherzadeh, shared stories about the impact Mercy’s Blessing is having in the lives of girls and boys in different parts of the world, and the power of film to inspire change.
Malaysia, 2018UNHCR’s Unite Against Violence Campaign
UNHCR organised Unite Against Violence; Working Together to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, in which Mercy’s Blessing was screened as part of the 16 Days of Activism against sexual and gender-based violence. Groups held meaningful discussions about gender equality, the role of men and boys in standing up for justice, child marriage, and the education of the Girl Child. Facilitators were community leaders, including Sharifah Shakirah, director of Rohingya Women Development Network organization (RWDN), Sujauddin Karimuddin, director of Elom Empowerment and Omna Sreeni-Ong, director of ENGENDER and secretary-general of the National Council of Women’s Organisation, Malaysia.
United Kingdom, 2017Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr Shirin Ebadi at launch of Girls Write the Future
In Oxford, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Dr Shirin Ebadi, Order of Canada award-winning journalist, Sally Armstrong, and the short film Mercy’s Blessing took centre stage at the opening ceremony launch of the charity for girls’ education, Girls Write the Future.
The Netherlands, 2016UNESCO schools annual gathering
In the Hague, at the annual meeting of the Dutch UNESCO network of 35 schools, Mercy’s Blessing was screened for school coordinators, teachers, and students. The film’s director, May Taherzadeh presented the film in light of Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 5 (Quality Education and Gender Equality) and explained how the film can be used in UNESCO schools and classrooms.
The Netherlands, 2016International Conference on Justice, Global Governance and Ethics
At the plenary session of the Justice Conference, Mercy’s Blessing was screened followed by a Q&A session with the film’s director, May Taherzadeh. The conference is a forum for the exploration of international law, global governance, justice, and ethics and the theme that year was Shining a Light of Illumination in Turbulent and Divided Times.