WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS TO MEET IN AMMAN

Press Release
PI/1241
WOM/1196

WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS TO MEET IN AMMAN

More than 140 women parliamentarians from 90 countries will take part in the Third Meeting of Women Parliamentarians in Amman, Jordan. The meeting, to be held on 30 April and 5 May, is being organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) during the 103rd Inter-Parliamentary Conference. Women will comprise 20 per cent of the total members of parliament who are expected to participate in the IPU Conference, to take place from 30 April to 6 May.

The Meeting of Women Parliamentarians, which has become part of the official structure of IPU conferences, will address two core issues: the contribution of women to the dialogue among civilizations and cultures; and the General Assembly special session: "Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the Twenty-First Century" (New York, 5-9 June 2000). A segment of the meeting will be devoted to a dialogue between members of parliament and Yakin Ertürk, Director of the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women, the substantive secretariat for the General Assembly special session. Discussions under another agenda item will explore strategies to ensure that women are elected to offices to be filled at the 103rd Conference.

The meeting will be chaired by Leila Sharaf, Senator from Jordan and former Minister of Information. Participants will include: Najma Heptulla (India), Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, President of the Inter- Parliamentary Council; Frene Ginwala (South Africa), Speaker of the National Assembly; Beatriz Paredes (Mexico), President of the Latin American Parliament, Senator; Marie-Noelle Lienemann, Vice-President of the European Parliament; Petra Blass, Vice-President of the German Bundestag; and Professor Rita Sussmuth (Germany), former President of the Bundestag. On 1 May, Queen Rania of Jordan will attend a dinner for the participants, hosted by the Jordanian Parliament.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the world organization of parliaments of sovereign States, is the focal point for worldwide parliamentary dialogue and works for peace and cooperation among peoples and for the establishment of representative democracy. The IPU supports the efforts of the United Nations, whose objectives it shares, and works in close cooperation with it.

For more information, contact Elisabeth Ruzicka-Dempsey, Development and Human Rights Section, United Nations Department of Public Information, at 212-963-1742, e-mail: .

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