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EuroMed meeting in Istanbul agreed
on resolutions on the role of women
The Ministerial Conference of the EU Member States and
the Mediterranean countries has today adopted joint
resolutions on how to improve and strengthen the role of
women. The two-day meeting was the first ministerial
EuroMed meeting on gender equality. The meeting
discussed broadly the role of women in society. For the
first time also NGOs could participate as equal partners
in the preparations for the meeting.
After long discussions, a joint view was reached on the
promotion of gender equality in the EU Member States and
the Mediterranean Partner Countries. Ministers with very
different cultural backgrounds were also able to agree
on a joint work programme, which includes hands-on
measures to improve the role of women. The meeting was
chaired by Minister of Social Affairs and Health Tuula
Haatainen as the representative of the Finnish EU
Presidency.
The resolutions highlight the political, educational,
social, and economic rights of women from the viewpoint
of sustainable development. They also focus on womens
cultural rights and the image of women in the media.
Womens participation in all spheres of society gives a
strong impulse for development both in the political and
economic life.
The resolutions underline the equal rights of women and
men. The participation of women in working life and
economic decision-making should be promoted and a
specific emphasis should be put on the education of
girls. The objective is to halve the illiteracy among
women by 2010 compared to year 2000 (Millennium
Development Goals). Also the promotion of
entrepreneurship and economic activity among women is
stressed.
The resolutions also take a stand on violence against
women and trafficking in human beings. The countries
want to combat violence in every way. The rights of the
victims must be protected, trafficking in human beings
must be reduced, and harmful traditional practices must
be decreased.
The meeting stated that positive development has taken
place both in the European countries and the Partner
Countries. Human rights and fundamental freedoms have
been included in the legislation of many countries. The
aim is to adjust national legislations to the
international regulations on human rights. However,
implementing these rights in practice continues to pose
a challenge.
The meeting was a part of the Barcelona process, which
is a cooperation process based on a broad-based
partnership between the EU and the Mediterranean
countries.
The agreement on the resolutions was a victory for the
Finnish EU Presidency. Gender equality issues have been
high on the Finnish EU Presidency agenda, and the role
and rights of women are discussed in many forums during
the Finnish Presidency. The Istanbul resolutions and the
meeting programme will be confirmed at the Conference of
Foreign Ministers that takes place in Tampere on 2728
November 2006. |
