By KUNA
Brussels : About 50 women leaders from around the world are meeting here today to discuss their role in crisis prevention, security and empowerment.
“We are here to draw the world’s attention to the link between security and women’s empowerment,” said EU Commissioner for external relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner opening this morning the conference titled “Women: Stabilizing an Insecure World.” We are to discuss “How we should address the impact on women of the new threats to security we face, from climate change, environmental degradation, international crime, religious fundamentalism, and terrorism,” said Ferrero-Waldner who is hosting the one-day international gathering.
“And at times of crisis, women bear the brunt: as I saw for myself when I visited Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the Tsunami or we are currently seeing in the Middle East,” she said.
“How can we do more to tap into women’s contribution to conflict prevention and resolving crisis situations like in Palestine, Iraq, and Sierra Leone? In today’s world good mediators are more vital than ever,” she noted.
Women politicians, ministers, and officials from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the US are attending the conference.