SAHARAWI WOMEN´S REPRESENTATIVE VISITS AUSTRALIA

Fatma Mahfoud, known also as Fatimel-lu, whom is Member of the International Relations Commission of the our women´s organizationa: National Union of Saharawi Women, visited Australia, August, to tell the story of the Western Sahara conflict from a Saharawi woman’s point of view.

During her visit to Melbourne Fatma met with members of the Victorian Parliamentary Amnesty Group, with members of the Upper House of Victorian State Parliament, with councillors from the municipality of the Yarra and with a group of NGOs based in Melbourne. She also participated in a public meeting and a screening of a documentary held at Kino Cinema.

During her visit to Sydney Fatima Mahfoudh participated along with the Saharawi representative to Australia in a seminar held at Macquarie University on Western Sahara. The seminar was attended by many students and lecturers of the university.The Saharawi women representative spoke during a round table organised at Toxteth in Sydney on Western Sahara. Among other speakers during the meeting were the former President of NSW Legislative Council, Dr. Meredith Burgmann and the Polisario Representative to Australia.

In her speech during the meeting Fatima Mahfoud explained that Saharawi women are respected and acknowledged as playing significant leadership roles in Saharawi society. In particular they are crucial to the effective functioning of the refugee camps.

There are women ministers and many women in senior positions within the structures of the government who have power and authority. She also under that literacy rates in the Saharawi refugee camps are amongst the highest in Africa.