Recife - Minister Nilcéia Freire, of the Special Secretariat for Women's Policies, inaugurated today the International Seminar on Health and Gender Policies, in Recife, Northeastern Brazil. Freire underscored that the event is important for receiving contributions to the National Plan for Women's Policies, which is in the preparatory phase.

She said that a study conducted last year by the Recife Women's Coordinating Board, in partnership with the University of São Paulo, will serve as a basis for modifying some of the strategies of the Family Health Program (PSF). "We need to extend women's autonomy, making men more aware that family planning should be shared," she emphasized.

During the seminar, health care policies from Southern Common Market (Mercosur) countries, states, and municipalities will be presented. The meeting is being attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Women's Movement, the Collective Health Movement, government gender policy agencies, and Women and Health councils.

Besides debates on the performance of the Family Health Program, the agenda includes the formation of an exchange network and institutional support for the development of initiatives in the area of women's health care.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Márcia Wonghon
Translator: David Silberstein
08/19/2004