Delhi will play host to 800 women from 55 countries who will be the fourth International Congress on Women from November 27.
The four-day international congress titled "WWH-2005" (women, work and health) will be held for the first time in South Asia. The earlier meetings were held in Barcelona (1996), Rio de Janeiro (1999) and Stockholm (2002).Among its main objectives, the congress aims to discuss occupational health care, gender awareness, promotion of social recognition and a higher profile of all jobs performed by women.
The event is being organised by a Swedish NGO, National Institute for Working Life and the Society for Working Life, a Delhi-based NGO.
It is supported by several organisations from India including the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Nehru Memorial Library and Museum, Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS), UGC Centre for Women's Studies, Indian Council of Medical Research, besides the UN Development programme and Unicef.
The meet will encourage exchange of knowledge and experience and strengthen ties not only between academic circles and trade unions but also with feminist groups and health care professionals.
"For the first time ever, short films and video sessions have been initiated to facilitate more realistic global experience sharing, where delegates from various countries can watch and learn from the real-life problems and solutions of other participating countries," said Indira Kothiar, chairman of the congress.
One of the unique features of the Congress would be the Women's Crafts Mela and the International Art Exhibition featuring works of women artists from around the world.
The congregation will see the participation of 2003 Noble Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi from Iran, 1996 Gandhi Peace Prize recipient A.T. Ariyaratne, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran and Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil.
(IANS)
