Mrs. Mubarak reiterates importance of women's role in development

Egypt's First Lady Suzanne Mubarak underlined the importance of women's role in economic development.

In a special message to an Arab international forum on women yesterday Mrs Mubarak called for laying down programs to enable rural women to get education and acquire necessary skills.

She said the meeting gave a good chance to women to be engaged in economic development.

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, on his part, said the forum is to be held on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of launching the Barcelona process.

He said the Arab world is facing a major challenge that needs a big reform process based on democracy and respect for human rights.

Moussa underlined the importance of rural women's participation in the development process.

He added that recent studies showed that 60 percent of manpower in the rural areas contributes to the production process, especially in the agricultural domain.

Haifaa Kilani, chairperson of the forum, said yesterday forum works on increasing women's participation in public life and activating their role as a development partner.

She said the forum is focusing on women's role in rural development, hoping it could come up with the necessary recommendations in this regard.

More than 200 representatives of the private sector and feminist societies are taking part in the foam.