Places to go in Monaco and Monte Carlo

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September 26th Newsletter

Not with a bang but a whimper. (1)

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Last week Monaco-based SheCanHeCan organized a cocktail at Club Thirty-Nine to launch The Equality Pledge. Two of the Principality's leading politicians attended. Stephane Valeri, President of the Conseil National, opened the evening by announcing proposed changes to the laws on abortion and on housing rights for all couples. Gilles Tonelli, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation closed by highlighting the Government's actions for equality.

SheCanHeCan was founded by Vibeke Brask Thomsen in 2011, originally as GenderHopes. The non-profit organisation is concerned with how gender stereotypes can hinder children and prevent them realising their full potential. It encourages boys and girls, men and women, to challenge deeply-held assumptions by running parent and child (ages 9-10) book clubs and organizing workshops for schools and companies. Each year it marks International Day of the Girl (this year on 11 October) with movie screenings, discussions, sports and exhibitions.

Currently the organization is planning an equality toolkit which will be developed through fundraising. The aim is to raise 38,695 euros, or 1 euro for each person in Monaco. The Mairie has already contributed 1 euro for each of its employees.

So what is The Equality Pledge? It's a tool that aims to encourage us all to make a thoughtful, active stance supporting gender equality. Visitors to the SheCanHeCan website will find 10 pledges. You're encouraged to read them through, then commit to one of them, or to come up with your own. Before now, I only ever signed one pledge, to abstain from drinking all intoxicating liquors, and that ultimately failed. Perhaps this time I'll do better.

What's in the diary ....