The President of the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians said that the message that the parliamentarians wanted to make heard was that women's participation must be mainstreamed not only on subjects considered of interest to them, but also for the ones that were central to the 110th IPU Assembly. Attention was also drawn to the two Handbooks for Parliamentarians presented by the IPU on Parliament, the Budget and Gender and on the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). "We also decided that at the 110th Assembly, which is to take place in Geneva in September, parliamentarians will discuss Beijing + 10, as this will allow the IPU to bring proposals and the vision of men and women parliamentarians to the session of the United Nations Committee on the Status of Women, to be held in March 2005."

As a woman with influence in Mexico, Dulce María Sauri believes that if women's voices are to be heard they must be more involved in politics. "Everything boils down to a question of percentages. If only a few women take part in political life, obviously our voices are not going to be heard. We must have more women in politics for our opinions to carry weight. That has been the case in other countries, such as Rwanda, South Korea and Belgium."

In Mexico City, the Assembly also elected a new Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians. Senator Joan Fraser (Canada) was elected President, and Senators Salwa Damen-Masri and Lidia Madero were elected as Vice-Presidents. The President and Vice-Presidents emphasised that the Coordinating Committee was working for true gender partnership.

"The IPU has been a beacon in the field of women parliamentarians' rights"

I think that one important thing women parliamentarians have to do now is to ensure that women continue to play a major role - even an enhanced role - as the IPU adapts to the new procedures and structures that have been established by the reform of the Union. The IPU has been a beacon in the field of women parliamentarians' rights, and we have established a wonderful base upon which to build. Now we have to ensure that we use the base well as the Union builds new traditions and sets new precedents. It will be good for both the IPU in general and for women parliamentarians in particular. Throughout the IPU, in all of the committees and geopolitical groups, we need to spread the understanding that what we are talking about and working for is partnership, true gender partnership. Many of our male colleagues in the Union are already our strong allies in this. They know that when women's strengths and talents are fully integrated into all our institutions, it is not only the women who benefit. It is the institutions themselves, and the whole of society - including the men!

Senator Joan Fraser (Canada)

"The aspirations of my country and my nation must be given the chance to be heard and appreciated through the contribution of Arab voices"

My interest in the various fields of world affairs means that my vice-presidency is a good opportunity to stretch the horizon of interest and knowledge to the widest extent possible. On the other hand, the aspirations of my country and my nation must be given the chance to be heard and appreciated through the contribution of Arab voices. And the exchange of ideas between representatives of Arab culture and the rest of the world can certainly produce positive effects that are beneficial to all. My aspiration is that one day we will see a world of fairness, and devoid of all forms of aggression and oppression. I feel that I am not only an Arab woman, but also a citizen of the Arab nation. I would like to convey to the world all of the dimensions of the Arab cause and all of the afflictions that we as Arabs must face. I would like to do something to enable the Arab world to communicate its message and contribute to building a better world with respect for human values, a world that presents opportunities not only for the present, but also for generations to come. Consequently, my message for male colleagues is the same as the one for female colleagues. I would humbly call upon all human beings to listen carefully to the innate voice of their consciences, and to act accordingly. Hopefully, then, mankind will become a closer family, and a happier one, now and forever.

Senator Salwa Damen-Masri (Jordan)

"The crimes committed against women in Ciudad Juárez reflect our position of weakness"

As Mexican legislators, we are obliged to present our country as one which seeks democracy, as a State which fights for women to be present in parliament and for them to have their place in the community and in the family, where our viewpoints are often the last to be taken into account. At the community level, women must understand that if they remain silent, the community cannot reap the benefit of their opinions, which are different from those of men. Political participation by women is a matter of national security. If women do not speak out, the views of half the population will always be forgotten. In Mexico, women's political participation is still very low. We must assume the responsibility of being more present in political life, and men must take on the responsibility for encouraging women to take part in all decision-making. The crimes committed against women in Ciudad Juárez reflect our position of weakness. Now that these crimes have been divulged and recognised, the authorities must carry out investigations and assume their responsibilities. But we must not forget a hidden type of violence which affects women every day: domestic violence. Thousands of women are abused and killed in their own families. We must work together, men and women, to stop it.

Senator Lidia Madero (Mexico)