On Beirut's Arab Women Forum
Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 3/9/2004

The Forum of "Arab Women and Armed Conflicts" was opened in Beirut on Monday in the presence of Mrs. Asma al-Assad, wife of president Bashar al-Assad, and a number of wives of Arab Kings, Presidents and the Arab League Secretary General.

Also attending the opening ceremony were members of the participating delegations in the Forum, representatives of regional and national organizations as well as researchers on women issues as well as the press.

Lebanon's First Lady Andree Lahoud stressed in an opening speech that the Forum is part of a series of forums endorsed by the Summit of Arab Women and attracts special attention from Arab people and governments.

She pointed out to the necessity of doubling efforts in the field of developing women sharing in all aspects of life on the basis of respecting their legitimate rights, stressing that women's rights are part of the human rights.

Assistant Secretary General of the Arab League, Abdul Rahman Saleh, pointed out in his speech that the initiatives fielded by the AL didn't differentiate between men or women.

He underlined women's role in building a society of justice and peace through their participation in the decision-making process and maintaining their key roles in the society and family.

For her part, Mrs. Mary Banuty, member of the European Parliament, talked in her speech about the situations of Arab women in Palestine and Iraq, saying she got acquainted on the spot with their catastrophes and ordeals which affect the life of the Palestinians in general and the Palestinian women in particular. The European MP expressed the hope that just and comprehensive peace be established in the Middle East, pointing out that such peace would resolve the problems suffered by the Arab women.

The Forum later held a work session titled "Women and armed conflicts in terms of the law" headed by Assad Diab, Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs. Mrs. Mervat Tallawy, the UN Under Secretary and the Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Committee for Western Asia (ESCWA), pointed out in her intervention to the negative effects inflicted upon Arab women in Palestine and Iraq. She cited examples of killings, forced evacuation and other anti-law practices under occupation.

Later in the day, the Forum of "Arab Women and Armed Conflicts" continued its meetings Monday afternoon in Beirut by discussing the negative effects on the political, economic, psychological and educational situation of women.

Syria put forward a work paper on 'the Situation of Syrian Women in the Occupied Golan and Effects of Israeli Occupation on the Family'. The paper also includes the psychological and social as well as other consequence of the occupation.

Mrs. Maria Ramman, in charge of re-settlement and program execution at the International Organization of Immigration, said that involving the civilians in wars and conflicts have claimed the lives of millions, mostly women and children. Mrs. Ramman, who presented the Syrian paper to the Forum, added that Syrian Arab women in the occupied Golan have long suffered under the occupation and Israeli repressive measures which directly affected them and their families as well.

She added that Arab women, particularly the Iraqis and Palestinians, took severe pains as a result of the occupation.

Previous Stories:
  Beirut conference on 'Woman and armed conflict' :EU Parliamentarian Marie Banotti: A call to bridging the gap of understanding between the west and east   (3/8/2004)
  Lebanon's First Lady opens activities of forum on Arab women and international conflicts   (3/8/2004)
  Okaz: Hariri views on regional development   (2/24/2004)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search