Mrs. Mubarak for gender equality

Some 20 female leaders in Germany honoured yesterday Egypt's First Lady Suzanne Mubarak for her part in empowering women politically, economically, and socially.

The ceremony was organized under the auspices of Deutsch Telekom, one of the partners organizing the 16th international women summit due in Cairo next month.

Moreover, Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, highlighted Wednesday 10/5/2006 the importance of seriously considering equal dealings with males and females alike.

Mrs Mubarak made the remarks at the World Women Work Forum in Berlin that was attended by a number of prominent figures and officials concerned with the issue of women on the international arena.

Mrs. Mubarak began her speech by welcoming Mrs. Marie Jose Jacobs, Minister of Women and Family Affairs in Luxembourg, and Rita Sussmuth, former President of the Bundestag.

Mrs Mubarak said "As never before, we need such occasions to reach out across our diverse cultures, to share in a human legacy that is common to us." She noted "the focus of your meetings will be political, economic and business, and media issues."

Mrs. Mubarak added "I look forward to learning from your lessons and to sharing with you those of my own country, Egypt's area in which I am particularly interested is the ways and means by which we can close, as individuals and as governments, the large gender gaps in all the economic, political and social arenas."