This year marks the beginning of the second decade, being the 11th anniversary of the Women Leaders Network (WLN) which was launched in Manila in October 1996. Since then we have worked together as an effective international network to promote the integration of gender as a cross-cutting issue within the context of APEC processes, programs, projects and systems.

Dr. Amelou Benitez Reyes, president and life-time trustee of The Philippine Women’s University, continues the Benitez tradition of service to the nation as the University’s 8th president and 4th Philwomenian alumna to occupy this top post. She is also the 2nd president of PWC of Davao.

Brief introduction: Gender expert with comprehensive experience in the conceptualization, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of gender included planning and programs in the educational system, reproductive health supply and working women’s organizations. Extended experience in mainstreaming gender perspective into national and international policies and planning, with comprehensive experience in the academic field, in research and teaching, and as a consultant for project evaluation.

This year, we cerebrate the 11th year of the Women Leaders’ Network. Every year, women leaders in APEC regions have met to discuss and prepare recommendations and have submitted to the Ministerial Meeting. I believe that these activities have played a role in informing the importance of recognizing gender in government policy, in particular, in economic policy. However, the functions of the WLN are still at a conceptual level and cannot exercise specific impacts.

Date of birth: December 2, 1953

Conceptual Framework of Thailand’s Proposal

Joint (HRD) Programme on E-women Leadership Development Training Network (E-WLTN)

Mrs. Kanda Vajrabya currently serves as the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDSH), Thailand.

Professional experience:

- From March 1983 to March 1990: President of Huaihua prefectural Women’s Federation, Hunan Province; the Head of the Huitong County;

- From January 1990 to December 1994: Vice-President of Hunan Provincial Women’s Federation;

- From December 1994 to September 1998: Member of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress in Hunan Province; President of Hunan Provincial Women’s Federation;

- From September 1998 to September 2003: Member of the Secretariat, All-China Women’s Federation

Her Excellency Mme. Ha Thi Khiet,

Distinguished Delegates.

Background of study: Mathematics-Physics, Political science, Management