Women professionals gathered at the NIE on Sunday December 21, for the Seychelles Association of Women Professionals (SAWOP) tenth anniversary conference, which focused on partnerships.

Under the banner "SAWOP, An Advocator Embracing Partnership Between Men & Women," the meeting brought together many of the association's 80 members, as well as a large number of invited guests.

The meeting was opened by the Minister for Social Affairs and Employment, Dolor Ernesta, who spoke on the advances brought to Seychelles through equality and the need to continue to improve the role of women in society.

Minister Ernesta said that there is a need to make men realise that they are not disempowered by women gaining power and called on the men of Seychelles to rethink outdated notions of masculinity.

Speaking on the role of SAWOP, the Minister said that the organisation, "must be prepared to make the necessary adjustment to its image, so that it can reach out to those women in our society who are unfortunately among the majority of unskilled beneficiaries of social welfare assistance and forming 78 per cent of people awaiting permanent employment."

"The superior/inferior pattern of relationships is inconsistent with the principles of democracy; with our fundamental rights which are enshrined in our Constitution," said Minister Ernesta, concluding, "We have to move from an era of control and domination into one of influence and persuasion."

The Minister's opening address was followed by a keynote speech, delivered by First Lady Sarah René, who spoke on gender partnerships, describing them as, "more complex than most of us realise."

Addressing the relationship between a husband and wife, Mrs René likened it to the wings of a bird, which have many similarities, but are on different sides of the bird's body and must work in unity.

Mrs René went on to discuss the importance of the family unit in helping children develop into responsible members of society.

Chair of SAWOP, Anne Lafortune said that over the last ten years the association has been involved in a variety of activities including fund raising to assist NGO's help women to develop themselves and increase their opportunities in society.

Mrs Lafortune said, "I think the role of women has improved, there are more women who are visible in important areas in Seychelles and SAWOP has done a little part of this."

Asked about contemporary examples of obstacles to female development, she listed male dominance in some homes and the need for equal access to different opportunities.

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