The National Research Centre of Social and Cultural Anthropology of the Islamic Republic of Algeria in collaboration with Women Associations throughout Africa and beyond, last Sunday, held an international symposium on the theme "African Women to the test of Development".

This symposium, held from 19th to 20th July, at the conference hall of Aurassi Hotel, was part of a series of activities marking the second edition of Panaf 2009 Algiers. The symposium was attended by hundreds of women activist, human right movements from Africa and other parts of the world as well as media practitioners.

The forum was characterized by a presentation of different papers, all touching on the role of women in almost all aspects of human life. Topical issues such as women in development, education, politics, human rights, economies, culture, arts, among others, were not left out. The presentations were followed by a questions and answer session. Madam Khalida Toumi, minister of Culture of Algeria, who presided over the meeting, described it as historic and timely, considering the plight of African women.

She spoke at length on the role of women in pre-colonial, colonial and post colonial era or administrations in Africa. " Forty years ago, the Pan African Cultural Festival was an opportunity for a tremendous meeting of people from the continent, celebrating peace and friendship. At the beginning of this third millennium, the African continent is attentive to the general situation of women; the universal principles like equality of men and women are registered in constitutional texts of most African countries. The issue of social and political discriminations of women cannot be overshadowed," she told the audience.

In a similar development in Algiers, the Algerian Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the organizing committee of the second edition of Panaf 2009, last Saturday, held a  continental fashion parade at the Institute for Cultural Development in Algiers. The fashion show featured a number of countries in Africa. that had the opportunity to select and feature some of the best and the most outstanding fashions available in their countries.