The All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) donated 50,000 facial masks to women and children in Iran, to express Chinese women and the ACWF's sincere care and support for Iranian women and children to fight against novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The donation ceremony was held in the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran to China on May 20.

Mohammad Keshavarz Zadeh, the Iranian Ambassador to China expressed gratitude to the ACWF for the donation of masks to women and children in Iran. He praised that China's effective measures in the fight against the COVID-19 has set an example to the world.

He believed that China's experience in the anti-virus fight will enlighten other countries, and he hoped Iranian and Chinese women enhance cooperation and jointly promote the continuous development of the strategic partnership between the two countries after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic in Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) had been escalating since the beginning of March and the two countries have faced heavy pressure in epidemic prevention and control work. The ACWF donated 20,000 medical surgical masks to the Japan National Federation of Regional Women's Organizations and the Woman's Division of the Soka Gakkai in Japan and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family of the ROK, to support women in the two countries to fight against COVID-19. The masks have arrived in the two countries.

Lee Jung-ok, Minister of Gender Equality and Family of the ROK, sent a letter to express gratitude to the ACWF for the donation of masks during the hard times of fighting against the worldwide pandemic.

Lee noted that the donation shows China's support for the ROK's anti-epidemic fight, and also represents the two countries' care and concern for disadvantaged groups affected by the pandemic.

Lee said that the ACWF's donation and warm message of global solidarity for women is significant as this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.

She hoped that the ministry and the ACWF will continue to work together for the shared goals of gender equality and women's empowerment in the future.

Iwata Shigeko, President of the Japan National Federation of Regional Women's Organizations, said that looking back on the long-term exchanges with the ACWF, the sincere friendship encouraged them and they felt grateful for the help.

The Woman's Division of Soka Gakkai sent a letter saying that it is believed that China's experience in the anti-epidemic fight will inspire the whole world. The letter expressed gratitude to the ACWF for its sincere help, and hoped Chinese and Japanese people will pull through these difficult times.

(Women of China)