CAIRO, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- A declaration stressing cooperation between Chinese and African women in addressing challenges of economic crisis and gender equality in political life was passed Wednesday when the China-Africa Women's Forum closed in Cairo.

    As an activity affiliated with the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the Women's Forum is jointly sponsored by the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) and Egyptian National Council for Women with the aim of enhancing the role of women in consolidating the Sino-African ties and the cooperation between the two continents of Asia and Africa.

    Given the theme of "Chinese and African women working together to address challenges and seek common development," more than 110 representatives from some 29 African states and China, including female governmental officials in charge of women's development and heads of women organizations joined the forum to explore new approaches to deepen friendship and cooperation and share the progress and experience of each country concerning gender equality and women's development.

    During the forum, the discussion was separated into three panels, discussing topics on women's role in promoting Sino-African political and social dialogues, cooperation in response to the current global economic crisis, as well as women and the Millennium Development Goals.

    The draft declaration went through a heated discussion among women delegates in Wednesday's meeting before it was approved by acclamation. The forum decided to submit the final declaration to the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which is scheduled for Nov. 6 to 9 in Egypt, with the expectation that the voices of women can be fully listened to.

    The final declaration notes with satisfaction that China has maintained a friendly and cooperative relationship with the women and women's organizations in African countries for over half a century. Women are playing a vital role in deepening the friendly ties between China and African countries.

    It emphasizes the importance of women's equal participation in legislation, decision-making and public life, noting the under-representation of women in public and political life as well as decision-making institutions. It also recognizes that women are more affected by the global financial crisis, with their job opportunities and labor rights challenged more than ever.

    The declaration recommends that special measures should be implemented to create a favorable environment where women can be better engaged in political life, while providing them with more leadership training, to gradually narrow the gender gap in political participation.

    In response to the financial crisis, the declaration states that governments should give full consideration to the interests of both men and women with regard to developing economic recovery plans, and avoid the risk of aggravating the gender gap and gender inequality by applying a gender perspective.

    The declaration also condemns the aggression and the hostile actions women face in armed conflicts especially in Africa and stresses women's vital role in achieving peace and security.

    The Chinese delegation to the forum is led by Chen Zhili, president of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) and vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress.

    During her meeting with Speaker of the People's Assembly of Egypt Ahmed Fathi Sorour on the sidelines of the forum, Chen said the forum set up a new platform for women's cooperation between China and Africa.

    While Sorour said African countries and China should discuss how to raise women's status through social and political reform, and only real reform can prevent women's development from falling into empty talk.