Vietnam Women's Union

The 4th world congress of Rural Women

24/05/2007

In the morning of 23 April, 2007 the 4th World Congress of Rural Women with the theme “United in our diversity: Working together towards the total emancipation of rural women from poverty and hunger” was held by Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs of South Africa at the International Convention Centre in Durban.

About 2 000 local and international delegates, representing for over 60 countries in the world, participated in the congress. Most of delegation were led by Female Minister or Female Deputy Minister. From Asia and Pacific, there were delegations from India, China, Thailand, Australia, and Vietnam...On behalf of the host, Deputy President of South Africa Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka attended and addressed at the Official Opening of the Congress. Accompanied with her were 12 Ministers from S.A Government – 8 of whom are female ministers. There were also representatives from international organizations i.e. WFP, UNDP, ILO attended and made speeches at the Congress.

In three days from 23^rd to 25^th April 2007, participants addressed their reports of implementing MDGs to 2015, especially continuing to discuss issues deeply affecting rural women’s life that raised in the 3^rd World Congress of Rural Women, 2002 in Spain i.e.: Globalization and Eradication of Poverty, Peace and Security, Governance for Rural Development at all Levels, Access to and Control of Resources and Environmental Issues, Health and Wellbeing.

The Congress approved Statement/Recommendation and Measures, and get commitments of participating governments as well. In the closing ceremony of the Congress, The Bowl – the symbol of the World Farmer Women’s Congress was handed over to the Minister of State for Women and Children Development of India who will host the next Congress.

Accepting the invitation of the Congress Preparing Committee - Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs, Republic of South Africa, Vietnam NCFAW sent a delegation of 2 representatives from its two affiliates: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Vietnam Women Union to attend the Congress. on this occation, with the support of Vietnam Embassy in South Africa, the delegation had a meeting with representatives of ANC Women’s Federation and Council of Tshwane City. The meeting has opened opportunities to further cooperation relations between women of the two countries in the future. The delegation had also a meeting with a number of Vietnamese women who are living and working in South Africa.