ICW, ECICW meetings in Kiev

The International Council of Women's Triennial and European Centre for the International Council of Women General Assembly were held in Kiev, Ukraine, from September 4-10. Doreen Micallef and Doris Bingley represented NCW Malta. NCW is grateful for the support received from Middlesea Insurance, who sponsored the two representatives.

The official opening ceremony took place at Kiev City Hall. The delegates were addressed by ICW president Dr Anamah Tan and NCW Ukraine president Iryna Golubeva, among others. Dr Tan from Singapore was re-elected president for the next three years.

National councils presented a report of the events and projects undertaken by their respective councils during the past three years. Ms Micallef presented NCW Malta's vast list of successes and events, which were received well by the audience.

Two workshops were also held during the course of the Assembly. The first was entitled 'Political empowerment of women' and the second was 'Gender Policy in Ukraine: Challenges and Responses'. The theme for the next three years is 'The Challenge of Gender Equality'.

Parallel to the 31st session of ICW, the ECICW held its autumn general assembly. Various topics were discussed, including: the rights of the child; access to social rights; trafficking of women and girls; women's health; and sustainable water.

A resolution on women in decision-making was passed during this session and will be sent to national and European institutions.

The president, Laura Finne Elonen, reported on her experience at the Civil G8 conference in Russia and how 12 international NGOs met President Vladimir Putin at his invitation. ICW was one of these organisations.

They were free to discuss the alarming situation of NGOs in Russia, climate change, human security and the war on terrorism, among others. It is hoped that their concerns will be acted on.

Brigitte Le Gouis reported on the Council of Europe and the campaign against domestic violence being launched in November.