ESCWA women committee opens sixth session in Kuwait

The Sixth Session of the Committee on Women of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA) kicked off here on Wednesday under auspices of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. In her address to the opening ceremony on behalf of the patron of the event, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Dr. Thikra Al-Rashidi said the State of Kuwait is hosting the event out of the conviction of the importance of efforts to empower women economically, politically and socially. "The current session will assess the measures adopted by the participating countries in the field of woman empowerment since the fifth session," the minister said. On her part, Sheikha Latifa Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, chairperson of Kuwait Cabinet's Women Affairs Committee, launched an initiative for supporting women in the Arab countries which suffer from political and security unrest. "Under the initiative, ESCWA teams will be sent to the concerned Arab countries to show solidarity with women there and get acquainted about their suffering," Sheikha Latifa said in her speech. She voiced hope that the initiative will drew support from the participants in the two-day session. Sheikha Latifa highlighted the need to focus on the efforts aiming to protect women's rights, particularly in the Arab countries in transition, and enable them to play an effective role in the socio-economic development in their respective communities. The ongoing session is scheduled to discuss the progress achieved in the field of advancement of women since the last session; the implementation of activities related to the advancement of women under ESCWA program of work for the biennium 2012-2013; the actions taken by member countries in the field of advancement of women pursuant to the recommendations of the last session; and presentations by member country representatives. The conferees will also discuss regional issues including the frameworks for combating violence against women in the Arab countries, the relevant national laws and international standards; and the gender mainstreaming in public institutions in the Arab countries. (end) ss.aaa.gb