J. Kwasniewska (left) with M. Kaczynska
The programme of the first day included a panel on the role of women in the transformations of the past two decades since the collapse of communism.
Among the speakers are the Mayor of Warsaw Hanna Gronkiewicz Waltz, the newly elected MEP Lena Kolarska-Bobinska and Małgorzata Chmielewska, a nun who has founded a charity which provides shelter and respect for homeless women and their families.
First Lady Maria Kaczyńska congratulated all Polish women, including those whose life became more difficult, on their effort in all those years. ‘We, women, never give up’, the First Lady said.
Former First Lady Jolanta Kwasniewska offered special words of recognition to those women who have fought for equality and freedom, stressing that the women of today do not demand any special privileges but equal treatment. ‘What we want’, she said, ‘is 100 percent of men’s pay and a 50 percent share in decision-making’.
The participants include prominent politicians, university lecturers, actresses and local community leaders. Discussions at the congress covers such issues as women’s career opportunities, harassment in the work place, the art of self-presentation and women in culture.
Many speakers in the debate pointed to the various manifestations of unequal treatment of women in the work place. Individual panels looked at the barriers in professional careers, the image of women in the mass media and violence against women.
A panel with the participation of Maria Kaczyńska and the former First Ladies had to be cancelled due to the absence of Danuta Wałęsa and Barbara Jaruzelska.
(mk/pg)
Updated 13.40 CET