Advisory: Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe to receive two Women Members of an Iranian Delegation to South Africa, Union Buildings, 21 August 2006

Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe will receive two women members of an Iranian delegation to South Africa on Monday 21 August at the Union Buildings. The women, who are paying a courtesy call on Deputy Minister van der Merwe, are Mrs Masoumeh Taheri, Director Social Affairs in the Centre for Women and Family Affairs in the President's office and Dr Tahmineh Daniali, Advisor and Director General for the Rural Womens's Affairs at the Office at Iranian President with specific responsibility for agricultural development.

The meeting is part of the programme for delegates of the South Africa - Iran Joint Binational Commission (JBC) which will be taking place in Pretoria on 21 and 22 August and will be co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and her Iranian counterpart, Foreign Minister Manucheher Motakki.

The Iranian women are particularly interested in the empowerment of rural women through agriculture. As part of their programme, they met with officials in the Department of Agriculture to examine ways of future co-operation, as well as with the Chief Executive Officer in the Office for the Status of Women in the Presidency, Ms Susan Nkomo. Deputy Minister van der Merwe will share with the Iranian delegation the South African Government's efforts since 1994 to empower women to participate fully in poverty alleviation and personal development. The meetings gave further substance to the objective of closer South-South Cooperation.

DATE : Monday 21 August 2006

TIME : 15h30

VENUE : First Floor East Wing
Union Buildings
Pretoria
(Parking on Government Avenue)
(Please present press cards)

ENQUIRIES/RSVPs : Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Tshwane
0001

21 August 2006