Minister of State (Women and Child Development) of India visits Colombia.

Minister of State (Women and Child Development) of India  visits Colombia.
       
The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Women and Child Development, Mrs. Renuka Chowdhury, visited Colombia on 23-25 May, 2007 to participate in the International Conference on Women and Politics organized by the Colombian Parliament.
           
The Minister was warmly received by the Colombian dignitaries during her aforesaid visit.  The Minister met with the Colombian First Lady, Mrs. Lina Uribe, for about 30 minutes at the Colombian Palace on 23rd May, 2007 followed by a meeting with the President of the Colombian Senate.  The Minister interacted with the Colombian President, Mr. Alvaro Uribe, the Colombian Education Minister Mrs. Cecilia Maria Velez White and the Colombian Defence Minister, Mr. Juan Manuel Santos.
           
The Minister addressed a packed audience at the International Conference on Women and Politics on the subject ‘Challenges, Achievements and Opportunities of Women in Executive Power’ on 24th May, 2007. Besides the Minister, the Colombian Education Minister, the Colombian ex-Minister of Agriculture, the Vice President of the Women’s Foundation of China were the other panelists on the aforesaid subject. The Minister highlighted the similarities of the conditions of women in India and Colombia and resolved towards exchanging mutual experiences towards alleviating the plight of women in both the countries. The Minister won accolades for the innovative programs being undertaken by the Government of India to provide self-respect, dignity and economic and gender equality to women in India. The Minister also signed the Joint Declaration of the women participants in the conference during the closing ceremony.
           
The Minister gave various interviews to the Media and Press, notably to leading Colombian newspapers and magazines, such as El Tiempo, Semana, Mercado del Dinero, etc. during the course of her stay in Colombia.  The articles and interviews published in the aforesaid newspapers and magazines are enclosed herewith.
           
The Minister visited the Salt Cathedral in Zippaquira near Bogota on 25 May 2007. She was warmly received by the authorities of the salt cathedral who facilitated a courtesy guided tour of the Ministerial delegation in the salt mine.
           
The visit of the Minister of State for Women and Child Development to Colombia demonstrated our government’s firm determination towards fighting the social issues confronting the contemporary international world and thereby increased our stature in the global community.  The presence of the Minister and her interaction with the dignitaries of Colombia gave an impetus to the strengthening bilateral relations between India and Colombia.

MOS (WCD) delivering her speech

MOS (WCD) exchanging gifts with President of Colombian Senate, Ms. Dilian Francisca Toro.

MOS (WCD) with other delegates of the conference