Brasília, 3/5/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - This week the United Nations is holding its 47th Session of the Commission on Women. Forty five countries are participating. Brazil is represented by the special secretary for Women Policy, minister Emília Fernandes.

She will explain that fighting gender, racial and ethnic discrimination in Brazil is an instrument for the expansion of democracy and citizenship for all of the Brazilian people.

On Friday, International Women's Day, Fernandes will participate in special ceremonies which will be opened by UN secretary general, Kofi Annan. (AB)