WFWPI Participation at AFAMMER's Congress

Written by: Marcia de Abreu

On December 13, 2022, the Women's Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI) was invited to speak during the 3rd International Congress and 40th anniversary of the Asociacion de Familias y Mujeres del Medio Rural (AFAMMER) in Madrid, Spain. AFAMMER is an organization in Spain that is actively working to achieve equality for rural women.

Marcia De Abreu, President of WFWP Spain recommended Merly Barlaan, International Vice President of WFWPI and Director of the WFWPI Office for UN Relations in New York, to represent WFWPI. Leading figures from the political, media, academic and social spheres of Spain attended the AFAMMER Congress.

The panelists included Ms. Barlaan, Petra Bentkampe, President of the German Rural Women's Association, Arancha Escalada, Director of Institutional Communications and CSR at Reale Seguros, and Sonia Garza González, National President of the Mexican Association of Women Heads of Companies. Ms. Barlaan was also on the panel with the former first lady of Spain, Ana Botella.

Ms. Barlaan gave a presentation which included an overview of WFWP’s rural development program in the Philippines and WFWPI’s work at the UN. Her presentation was very much appreciated and she was able to show the important work of WFWPI and its contribution to the betterment of society, especially in rural areas.

The Spanish delegation from WFWP, led by Ms. De Abreu, included two young leaders; Sunhwa Marchan and Anais Vega, as well as Vice President of WFWP Spain, Maryvonne Jamois. Carolyn Handschin, Director of the WFWPI Offices for UN Relations also joined WFWP’s Spanish delegation. It was a productive meeting and an opportunity for networking and exchanging ideas with other women leaders.

The WFWP's involvement was made possible by Carmen Quintanilla Barba, a former Senator and a member of Parliament in Spain who founded and still leads AFAMMER. She is a close friend of WFWP Spain.