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Participating in the Seminar were professors, representatives from the Brazilian Secretariat of Policies for Women (Ministry of Women), some WIDF member women's organizations from Brazil, Portugal, Lebanon, Mozambique, Ecuador, Cuba and Vietnam. The participants shared information on efforts to enhance women's access to employment, to narrow the gap in wages between men and women, and policies on women’s support and social security... The VWU delegate gave a presentation on “Working rights of Vietnamese women” attracting attention from delegates. Also, at the Seminar, the VWU’s delegate provided information on China’s illegal placement of drilling rig in Vietnamese waters and conveyed the VWU message of calling on women in the world to raise their voices for peace, justice and request the Chinese government to observe international law and respect the sovereignty of Vietnam. In response to the call of the VWU, 6 WIDF member organizations from Portugal, Lebanon, Mozambique, Ecuador, Cuba and Brazil made a joint statement saying that “The tense situation between China and Vietnam caused by the installation of a Chinese oil rig in territorial waters of Vietnam with the presence of military ships and planes that have led to the sinking of a Vietnamese boat and injuring Vietnamese men by Chinese forces, is reason of concern and preoccupation of world Peace and Development loving forces” and “WIDF… express its respect to the sovereignty’s principle of each state and international law and avoid a threatening military confrontation of Peace in the region and in the planet….associate the call of WIDF towards peaceful resolution of this conflict…”
On this occasion, the international delegates also attended the 4th Congress of the Brazilian Women Confederation with the presence of Ms. Marcia Campos, WIDF President. The Congress discussed current issues of Brazilian women, solutions and a Platform for Action in the future, focusing on social welfare for women and children, reducing weekly working hours, increasing women’s participation in politics, and elected Brazilian Women Confederation’s Board of Directors.
At a side meeting discussion with the VWU delegate, WIDF President, Ms. Marcia Campos, showed high appreciation of the VWU’s active participation and valuable contributions of VWU to the WIDF development. on this occasion, the VWU representative forwarded to Ms. Marcia Campos the letter of VWU President to WIDF President and Vice-Presidents and the VWU Statement in protest against China’s illegal placement of drilling rig in Vietnamese waters.
The participation of the Vietnamese representative at the Seminar and Congress in Brazil contributed to enhancing understanding and cooperation between the VWU and WIDF and among women in different countries towards the goals of Equality, Development and Peace.
