The Congress of Polish Women has appointed a ‘shadow cabinet’ which is to advice politicians and comment on issues which involve women.

The announcement coincides with International Women's Day on 8 March.

Members of the women’s shadow cabinet include former First Lady Jolanta Kwasniewska as Foreign Minister, sociologist Magdalena Środa as Minister for Education, Science and Sport, MEP Lena Kolarska-Bobinska as  Minister for Energy and Wanda Nowicka, head of the Federation for Women and Family Planning as Minister of Health. 

According to the Congress of Polish Women Association, separate ministries should be created for such issues as the lay character of the state and gender equality.

The shadow cabinet is headed by member of the European Parliament Danuta Huebner (pictured) who told a press conference in Warsaw that it is to serve as a source of inspiration for successive governments and propose the best solutions on gender and other issues for Poland.

She stressed that the Congress of Polish Women does not intend to form any political structures or run in parliamentary elections, however.

The 1st Congress of Polish Women was held in June 2009 and was attended by some 4, 000 delegates. A year ago the Association – the Congress of Polish Women – was registered.

The congress is held its second gathering in June 2010. In September the Association is to organize a European Congress of Women in Warsaw. (mk/pg)