Spaans Voorzitterschap spreekt plannen gendergelijkheid en non-discriminatie vrouwen uit (en)

Met dank overgenomen van Spaans voorzitterschap Europese Unie 1e helft 2010 i, gepubliceerd op maandag 1 maart 2010.

Today, Spain's Minister of Equality, Bibiana Aído, representing the EU and appearing before the UN Commission on the Status of Women, reiterated the commitment of all Member States to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action on its 15th anniversary.

Aido stressed that “The European Union remains committed to applying the Beijing Platform for Action and recognises that it is as valid today as it was 15 years ago”.

A long list of events focussed on women's rights and the fight against gender-based violence have been programmed at the UN from Monday and until the end of the week to celebrate International Women's Day on 8 March.

In her opening address of the 54th session of the UN Commission of the Status of Women, which was attended by representatives from some 70 countries, Spain's Minister of Equality reminded the gathering that 15 years ago the Beijing platform defined “12 sphere of special concern” on which measures needed to be taken to strengthen gender equality.

According to the Spanish minister, defining these spheres was “very important” and represented a “milestone” which today provides “a valuable strategy for achieving gender equality”, an objective included in EU policy since 1997, but which received a “significant boost” from the Treaty of Lisbon.

With regard to the spheres of special concern defined in Beijing, Aído referred to the presence of women in decision-making positions in politics and the labour market.

She pointed out that rates of female employment differs widely among Member States, ranging from 36.9% to 73.2%, and considered that “women are still very poorly represented in decision-making positions in the economy".

She also stated that “new actions should be taken urgently” to tend to the needs of girls and women following the armed conflicts, and that improving access to sexual and reproductive health is “essential” in order to comply with the Beijing Platform of Action and the Millennium Development Goals.

Meer over ...