(28 February 2005) To celebrate International Women's Day, on 9 March, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) will hold a conversation about the concepts of democracy, parity and affirmative action in light of Latin American women's experience with political participation. This gathering has been organized by ECLAC's Women and Development Unit.
Academics, representatives from the international community and civil society will participate in the meeting, called "Democracy, Parity and Affirmative Action" They will be invited to comment and propose ways to strengthen women's political participation in the region.
The gathering has been sponsored by Chile's ministry-level national women's service (Servicio Nacional de la Mujer, SERNAM); the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM); the UN Population Fund (UNFPA); the UN Development Programme (UNDP); OXFAM; the women's studies centre (Centro de Estudios de la Mujer, CEM); Corporación Humanas; and the women's initiative group (Grupo Iniciativa Mujeres).
A book will also be launched: "De lo privado y lo público: 30 años de lucha ciudadana de las mujeres de América Latina" (From Private to Public: 30 Years of Citizens' Struggles by Women in Latin America). Compiled by Nathalie Lebon and Elizabeth Maier, the book was published by UNIFEM and LASA (Latin American Studies Association).