(March 18, 2009)The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace is promoting an international
conference calling women to give witness , especially in the area of human rights.
This congress, the first of its kind, will be held Friday and Saturday in the Vatican
and will focus on "Life, Family, Development: The Role of Women in the Promotion of
Human Rights." The initiative is being promoted by the World Women's Alliance for
Life and Family and the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations. The conference
will be the first meeting of the World Women's Alliance for Life and Family, an international
network of women with headquarters in Rome, created five years ago by the current
president, Olimpia Tarzia. The objective of this network of women from 50 countries
worldwide, is the promotion of the feminine genius in every realm of social organization.
Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, president of the pontifical council, said that
"the hour has come for women to respond fully to their vocation to witness love for
life in every realm of society and in all parts of the world. At a time of profound
transformations, women, illumined by the evangelical spirit, can do much to help humanity,"
he added. More than 60 experts and scientists from all over the world are planning
to take part in the conference.