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