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FSM Women's Workshop to Celebrate International Women's Day

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): March 5, 2009 - The FSM National Government hosted a Women's Workshop today at the Central Facilities in Palikir to celebrate the International Women's Day that is scheduled for Sunday, March 8^th, 2009. This workshop was held a day before the Pohnpei State Women's Day celebration on March 6^th to provide a venue for women on the island who do not speak Pohnpeian. The theme for the FSM Women's Workshop was "Women's and Family's Roles and Responsibilities."

The workshop was opened with a prayer from the Administrator, Mrs. SeNellie Singeo and followed by welcoming and opening remarks from His Excellency, President Manny Mori and Mrs. Vice President, Shra Alik. The President's remarks focused on the importance that women play in families and in the workplace and on the partnership that exists between men and women. The President said that, "The FSM Government supports the improvement of women's productivity in the workplace, at home and in the community." He asked the participants, who mostly work for the FSM Government, to help him identify and rid our government offices of any form of harassment. He finished his statement by saying "I encourage all men, women, boys and girls to work together and support each other because we equally deserve to live in dignity, employing our God-given talents, free of shame, fear and regrets."

Mrs. Vice President gave opening remarks that focused on refection and change. She asked that the conference "should be taken in a very positive attitude such that it will be one of the means that we can explore ways of support for women." She said that "we have to work out some of the issues that we need to deal with in order to move forward in our support of our nation's development and in weaving the integrity of the future for our children." And finally, she hoped that "this conference will help us open some positive discussions on how we can improve and maintain good support and relationships on the job, for better productivity, without compromising our integrity as well as mental and emotional health."

The workshop was filled with a variety of different topics including addressing women's issues in FSM, breast and cervical cancer, chronic disease prevention, women's roles in response to the food crisis, women's roles in response to the effects of climate change, violence against women, mental and emotional health for the family, and women in politics.

The FSM Public Information Office videotaped the event and will produce a DVD to be played on local television stations throughout the FSM.