In her groundbreaking address at the opening of the third Congress of the Arab Women Organisation (AWO) today, the Congress's Chairwoman, Mrs. Leila Ben Ali, stressed the need for raising gender issues to the level of a strategic choice. Obstructing women's energy, is in fact, wasting half the energy of society, she said, evoking the importance of integrating women in the process of sustainable development. Setting the tone for the works of the Congress, Mrs. Leila Ben Ali struck the right chord when she announced her commitment to set up a long-term development strategy for AWO that will pave the way for greater gender equality. Mrs. Ben Ali also stressed the importance of further empowering Arab Women through education, training and helping women gain access to the results of technological innovation. Even if current health, educational and social indicators show an improvement in the conditions of Arab women, they still fall short of our expectationsî, she noted. One area where practical results could be achieved is in the field of vocational training she pointed out, adding that as AWO's Chairwoman, she is committed to further activate vocational training programs for women, enabling them to assimilate new technologies and expertise in project development and management. Evoking the importance of the environmental issue, Mrs. Ben Ali called o the congress to consider the possibility of setting up of a prize for studies and research on environmental issues, conducted and supervised by Arab women, as well as a prize distinguishing the best women association working in this field. AWO's Chairwoman also expressed her wonder at the failure of the international community to fulfill its obligation as laid down in the relevant UN documents, at a time when women in many nations are suffering from discrimination, exclusion and marginalization, adding that AWO's congress was a propitious occasion to highlight that the International Women's Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Committee can contribute to raising awareness as to the respect of these principles. Mrs. Ben Ali also reaffirmed the congress's strong support to the struggle of the Palestinian people in defending its legitimate rights to freedom and dignity. Sustainable development is unthinkable in the absence of women, said Mrs. Leila Ben Ali, voicing her confidence in the ability of AWO and all Arab women associations to instill that belief in Arab societies.
