Brasília, November 18, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The VIII Specialized Meeting of Women from the Mercosur, plus Chile and Bolivia, began today in the exhibition hall of the Itamaraty Palace. As in previous meetings, the purpose is to discuss effective female participation in political decisions in the region, as well as the quest for equality between men and women in job opportunities and salaries.

The first round of discussions - initiated by the State secretary for Women's Rights, Solange Bentes - was about the legislation of quotas for women's political participation in the public sphere. She said that, in Brazil, 30% of public offices are reserved for women, "although political parties are not always interested in filling the quota." (DAS)