November 20, 2009 Southwest News-Herald - Oak Lawn, Burbank, Bridgeview
Student Travels Overseas, Aids Abused Women
Nicole Paprocki, an Oak Lawn resident who grew up in the Ashburn neighborhood and later attended St. Gerald School, 9320 S. 55th Court., Oak Lawn, traveled this past summer to a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) field program to meet one of the 2009 International Honorees for the Health and Dignity of Women.
UNFPA provides women’s health care and promotes the rights of women in 150 countries around the world.
A graduate of Queen of Peace High School, Paprocki guest-blogged about her experience on MarieClaire.com and americansforunfpa.blogspot.com and represented Americans for UNFPA as a student ambassador at campus, political and advocacy events.
She learned about the global health and rights of women by visiting women’s health programs on the ground in and near Bangladesh.
“I’ve always had an interest in healthcare,” said Paprocki.
Demi Robui, vice president of public affairs at UNFPA, said,
“Nicole was there as an observer, to learn about the program and meet the women who have changed the world.”
In her blog, Paprocki discussed meeting the Americans for UNFPA International Honoree for the Health and Dignity of Women Monira Rahman, who founded the Acid Survivors Foundation.
“What most struck me about Monira was her emphasis on female empowerment in her efforts to stop violence against women and gender inequality,” wrote Paprocki.
Paprocki spent time with the victims and survivors in their villages.
“Men would throw acid on women who do not even accept a marriage proposal, so I would visit these women,” said Paprocki.
While traveling with Americans for UNFPA, Paprocki got to see examples of the struggle for women’s health care, safe motherhood, human rights and gender equality.
She assisted in the filming of a video documenting the work of UNFPA and aiming to shine a light on the problems women face in most of the world, and to highlight what can be done to address these problems.
“One of my favorite memories was all these little girls were coming up to me, taking my hand and showing me around the village,” said Paprocki.
She also learned about the role of media, communication and advocacy in advancing the rights of women everywhere.
Paprocki ended her journey by writing, “I have witnessed firsthand the importance of UNFPA for women, for their children, and for society as a whole.
“As a student ambassador for Americans for UNFPA, I hope to bridge that gap in our understanding. I hope that regardless of our nationality, political affiliation, or gender, we can recognize the necessity of women’s empowerment and the work of UNFPA.”
Robui said, “Nicole had a bonding experience with these women. Her role when she came back to the United States was to tell the stories.”
Paprocki is currently a junior at Loyola University Chicago.
She works with organizations including the American Red Cross, AMSA, Amnesty International and CARE. She also volunteers regularly at a women’s clinic in Chicago.
Paprocki hopes to pursue an MD/MPH so that she can achieve her ultimate career goal: to bridge the healthcare gap for women in underdeveloped and developed countries worldwide.
“Going to other countries and seeing the status’ of lesser women, made me so appreciative of what I have here in the states,” said Paprocki.