China-Africa Cooperation -- Women's Forum 2009 kicks off in Cairo

• Source: Xinhua
• [19:06 October 13 2009]
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China-Africa Cooperation -- Women's Forum 2009 kicks off in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday, a Chinese women delegation and some 200 representatives from more than 30 African countries attended.

"Women have a special role in consolidating China-Africa cooperation, especially under the financial crisis, which, in spite of signs of recovery, is still prevailing," said in a written statement by Suzanne Mubarak, Egypt's  first lady and president of the National Council for Women.

The statement was read by Farkhonda Hassan, secretary general of the council, at the opening ceremony.

Stressing women's importance in development, social equality, anti-poverty and the Millennium Development Goalsset by the United Nations, the first lady called on women around the world to shoulder these responsibilities and the participants of the forum to draw a  framework to boost multilevel cooperation between the two continents.