The International Council of Women 35th General Assembly was held in Jogjakarta, Indonesia from 13th to 19th September 2018. The ICW GA was hosted by the local National Council of Indonesia, KOWANI, under the able leadership of Ms. Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo. The GA was attended by Ms. Pushpa Hegde, Ms. Rakhi Shetty, Ms. Sneh Lata Gandhi and Ms. Uma Soni from India.

The GA started with a grand Opening Ceremony with the President of Indonesia, Hon. Joko Widodo, as the Chief Guest for the event. The program started with prayers for blessing the event, followed by speeches by the dignitaries and cultural dances. Elections for the Office Bearers, ICW Board and Standing Committee were held. Dr. Jungsook Kim was elected as the President for the second term. Mrs. Pushpa Hedge, two times Past President of NCWI, Past ICW Board Member and current President of Poona Women’s Council was elected as a Board Member of the ICW. Ms. Rakhi Shetty, President of NCWI, was elected as the ICW Standing Committee Advisor for Nutrition. It is a matter of pride for the NCWI to have two of its members elected into the ICW Executive Committee team.

The ICW GA was attended by delegates of many affiliate countries like Korea, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Turkey, Fiji, Lesoto, Island of Papua, Bangladesh, USA, Thailand and many others. Workshops were held with dignitaries like the Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, Ms. Lyudmila Georgievna, Fijian Ambassador to Indonesia, Ms. Seleima Veisamasama, Indonesian Minister for Women Empowerment & Child Protection, Ms. Yohana Rembise and our very own Ms. Ranjana Kumari from Delhi as the Speakers and Facilitators. A dinner was also organized with the King of Jogjakarta, Sultan Hamengkubuwono X.

The ICW GA ended with a grand Gala Dinner where all the delegates performed traditional dances or sang songs from their respective countries. We are thankful to the entire team of KOWANI and the ICW who worked tirelessly to make the ICW GA a grand success.