Second Women's Conference Exceeds 200 Participants

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000072 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: KPAO PREL KDEM GV SUBJECT: Second Women's Conference Exceeds 200 Participants ¶1. SUMMARY: (U) The US Embassy partnered with the Club of Women of Action to host the second annual Women's Conference on March 26 and 27, 2008. This year's theme "Women of Action: Elections and the Democratic Process" drew over 200 participants to the conference. As the sessions went on, the number of participants grew. Though there was some debate as to whether or not the women's club was affiliated with a political party (it is not),the women made it clear in their discussions and resolutions that they want to be part of Guinea's upcoming elections. END SUMMARY. -------------- OPENING CEREMONY -------------- ¶2. (U) After a few words of welcome, the Charge d'Affaires gave the opening speech, where he reaffirmed the US commitment to support women's empowerment and emphasized the important role of women in the democratic process. His comment that "a country in which half the human capital is wasted and neglected cannot prosper" drew rounds of applause. ¶3. (U) Following the Charge's address was Hadja Tete Nabe, Minister of Social Affairs, who spoke to the importance of the forthcoming elections, urging her sisters to be fully involved in the process. She also discussed a new initiative to be introduced to the National Assembly that requires political parties to have an equal number of men and women on their party candidate lists. Her department has already begun appealing to the political parties to consider putting on their lists "one man, one woman." ¶4. (U) Ben Sekou Sylla, President of the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI),also addressed the women, expressing his regrets that there are only two women in the 25 members of the Electoral Commission. He promised to increase the involvement of women if not in the members of the commission directly then by including them in the observation teams. All eyes were on Mr. Sylla as the media crowded the stage. Speaking without notes, he garnered a rousing ovation as he urged the women to join political parties and to participate in the entire electoral process. He added at the end of his remarks that no one would willingly give women their share, but instead they must claim it. -------------- DISCUSSIONS -------------- ¶5. (U) Several topics were examined during the conference including women's participation in the electoral process, citizenship, female solidarity and women's participation in the administration of elections. The speakers called attention to the importance of women joining political parties and seeking prominent spots on the candidate lists. They also spoke to the necessity of providing education and training to women as well as enabling women to be financially independent. The presentations and following discussions highlighted the lack of women in the decision-making process. Members of the audience also emphasized the necessity of involving young women in the Club of Women of Action, preparing them for the future leadership of the organization. COMMENT: The Embassy did make a point of including young women in the initial planning. Unfortunately, the older and younger women tended to argue frequently which may account for the young women's less significant presence at the conference. END COMMENT -------------- OUTCOMES -------------- ¶6. (U) As the conference concluded, the women agreed to take immediate action on a few of the concerns expressed in the debate and discussions. They designated a committee to approach the CENI about ways to involve women in the electoral process. Another committee was formed to work with the political parties to press for more female candidates. The women also decided to prepare media spots to sensitize rural and illiterate women about the importance of upcoming elections. Addressing the lack of involvement of young women in the Club of Women of Action, they promised to spend 2008-2009 going to the villages to recruit young women to the club. ¶7. (U) The women also decided to continue to work on various other issues: 1) support and help build capacity of NGOs working on women's initiatives; 2) establish a fund to assist victims of violence; 3) find ways to support female candidates; and 4) find opportunities to involve former senior women officials in women's empowerment activities. The Club of Women of Action will continue meeting the last Thursday of each month to continue their debate and advocacy on these issues. -------------- COMMENT -------------- CONAKRY 00000072 002 OF 002 ¶8. (SBU) The Embassy has been working with this group of women leaders since Women's History Month 2006. However, the group was essentially dormant until 2007 when the Public Affairs Section (PAS) organized the first women's conference. In many ways, the conference felt much like a rally aimed at energizing women to fulfill their roles in the electoral process. The women seemed to agree that there was a need for solidarity and action amongst themselves. However, it was unclear what next steps would be taken by the new committees, or by future meetings, that would accomplish the group's objectives. One of the conference speakers addressed this problem by asking the crowd, "If three birds are on a branch, and two decide to fly away, how many birds remain on the branch?" The answer was three, the message being that deciding on an action does not ensure follow-through. Embassy intentionally encouraged the women's club to focus on elections despite their interest in addressing broader topics such as education, health and economics. Regardless of the subsequent follow-through activities, the conference successfully highlighted the importance of increased female participation in the democratic process and focused attention on the issue. Finally, it appeared to reinvigorate participants, which may help them develop an active organization with sustainable activities. END COMMENT. CARTER