Sunday 2 Feb, 2003
MRS SUZANNE Mubarak has attended the celebration of "Arab Women's Day" in the Syrian capital of Damascus, that was hosted by the first lady of Syria, Asmaa Al- Assad. The event also coincided with the inauguration of the Arab Women and Education Forum.

Arab queens and first ladies -- including Queen Rania of Jordan, Sheikha Sabika Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, Fatima Al- Bashir of Sudan, and Andre Lahoud of Lebanon -- participated in the forum, which was also attended by more than 100 women activists and public figures from 20 Arab countries.

At the forum's final session, a number of recommendations were announced, including compiling a guidebook to enhance parents' awareness of basic child-rearing techniques, and launching a media campaign to strengthen Arab values.

Mrs Mubarak stressed on the importance of the newly established Arab Women's Organisation, saying that Egypt and Syria were among the first countries to ratify its establishment. After the forum, Mrs Mubarak took part in a meeting of queens and first ladies to discuss the practical procedures required to activate the organisation's efforts.