Follow the Women Community

Welcome!!!

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In order to facilitate a dialogue among all members of Follow the Women, in order to give the chance of knowing our projects to new women and people in general, in order to encourage them to join us, to be aware of what Follow the Women aims, in order to provide with information about the hosting countries of our bike rides through the Middle East, and get information from each one of us, from our countries and, specially information related to the role and place of women in your country, in order to start getting to know each other better, we decided to create this blog to be used as a tool of dialogue and mutual understanding.

We have been working in Follow the Women since 2002 and the experience showed us how important it is to try to help each of us, participants in Follow the Women, to exchange information, worries, beliefs, feelings…This is basic for our personal grownth, for enriching the experience, for achieving as much as posible from this unique opportunity of living the reality of the Middle East through the eyes of women (and some men also) like you, for sharing how important is the life of all of us living in Peace.

When in 2002 the “crazy idea” of women riding bikes in the Middle East that Detta Regan, founder and creator of Follow the Women, came up with during a dinner with some friends started to grow, she couldn´t even think that in 2007 we were going to be were we are, with more than 300 women involved, more than 30 countries involved, already two bike rides done, women giving conferences all over the World to raise awareness people about the real situation in the Middle East, and more and more women wanting to join.

Well, it is an impressive balance, we know, and something that needs to grow every single day, most of the World population want Peace, so we need to work together to get it. One of the participants of the bike ride 2005 said “the bicycle is a vehicle of peace -- you don´t use oil which nowadays is the demand for oil what contributes to wars”, and it is true, we are working for Peace and for women to make it.

Before we finish with this introduction, we would like to mention some points that can give you a clear idea of what this blog has been created for:

- Share information about the countries we are going to be visiting and about the concrete places where the route will go through. As an starting point the blog will include some historical references to the countries we will be hosted in during the 2007 bike ride. All the information related to history, culture, religion, women, biographies, etc, is not the opinion of Follow the Women, it has been taken from different web pages that are included in each chapter. We thought about including this information because be informed before going to a different country is a good way of showing respect to your hosters and a very good idea in order to understand a bit more about a different reality.
- We would really like to have as much information as posible about situation of women in all the countries involve. This is what we really need in order to create working networks among us and be able to develop projects together. And it is specially important to know about the situation of women in the Middle East, so all the comments, references, statistics, whatever you think that can be interesting for the rest of us to know, please, include it in this blog.
- We will include the last version of the route until now, but this can change, and you will be informed about all this changes through our web page: http://www.followthewomen.com/
- We have some recommendations for enjoying the experience as much as posible and what it is more important for us, to allow you to become active women after the cycle ride, reporting this experience and all the things you gain:
- Be flexible. This is a very big event and there will be things and changes happening all the time. It is due to the amazing job that our sponsors and supporters in the Middle East do in order to organise everything as well as possible, something that it is not easy at all, so we have to understand the big difficulties of organising such an event before panicking. It is very important to remember that whatever happens we need to be flexible.
- Be open and respectful. Lots of new things will be happening to us even before arriving to the airport, but specially after. We will be a group of people coming from very different countries, with very different backgrounds, very different ways of understanding life, of doing things, of cycling too, so we have to be patient, observe, listen and enjoy as much as posible forgetting about stereotypes and letting things happen while learning and enjoying as much as posible. What ever we see, we listen to or we live, we have to be open and respectful.
- Be ready to change. Yes, this is one of the most amazing things that have happened to all of us, we live very safely in our daily routine, and suddenly we meet people, we are welcome as we have never been welcome before, we go through amazing landscapes that we couldn´t even imagine that they exist and we realise that everything is very shocking. Try to be open and flexible again, and be amazed of how nice it can be to change.
- Do not forget that the Steering Committee of Follow the Women, the country coordinators, all the coordinators of different “faces of the project”: bike rental, web page updating, coordinators of activities in the Middle East, media supporters, NGO´s supporters, ordinary people supporting, sponsors, First Ladies, politicians, riders, have a common aim, work to get dialogue and Peace in the Middle East and improve the situation of women in the region; we can have different ways of arriving to the aim, but is the same aim, with the same spirit, the same willing, enthusiast, passion: we can do it together and we will.

Thanks to all of you for being there, without you this project could not be posible

Follow the Women – Women for Peace
From Concept to Reality, Pedalling for Peace.

Introduction

The idea, inspired by visits to Palestine, youth Exchanges with Israel and Palestine and a meeting held in Amman, Jordan, has led to the organisation of a group of women to cycle across a number of countries in the Middle East. Why? To raise awareness of how the current situation within the Middle East affects the lives of women and children, and to raise support for a move towards peace and greater understanding.

Why?

The current situation in the Middle East is unstable; women and children are suffering daily. They are deprived of the normal day-to-day life which we all take for granted – going to school and work; doing the shopping; meeting up with friends; and caring for your family. Living in an area of conflict, the focus is on ‘staying alive’. Practical issues such as whether you have electricity and water, where your next meal will come from and whether your children will come home today or in fact whether they can go out, are combined with the psychological burden of constant fear. Fear of abuse, fear of the future!

Those less involved in decision making, are often the ones who are socially oppressed and suffer consequences of those decisions. Follow The Women will give women the opportunity to have a say, be in control and have a powerful and influential impact on those around them.

Hundreds of women all cycling at the same time is not the norm in the Middle East and will attract attention and people will take notice. This is what we are aiming for in order for to gain publicity, sponsorship and to capture the hearts and minds of as many people as possible. It will show commitment and support by women throughout both Europe and the Middle East, and educate a wide audience as to the situation facing all women living in an area of conflict.

What?
Follow The Women is now an international movement comprised of approximately 300 ordinary women, from as many as 30 different countries, who support peace and an end to violence in the Middle East. There has never been a greater need for the women of the world to work together for a more peaceful present and future.

The aims of Follow The Women are to:

raise awareness of how the current situation in the Middle East affects the lives of women and children in the region,
show solidarity towards women in the region,
increase support networks between women all around the world,
fund a counseling center in Ramallah, Palestine for the victims living in that area of conflict,
bring an end to violence and suffering in the region.
In order to work towards achieving these aims, Follow the Women organized two cycle rides, and is currently preparing for the third ride to be held in April 2007.
In April 2004, the first ride was across Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. In September 2005, the second bicycle ride took place from Beirut to Damascus to Amman and finally into Ramallah, Palestine. In April 2007, cycling is planned to begin in Syria, then riding into Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine.

The Steering Committee of Follow the Women

Important women supporting us...

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Bahia Hariri has long been a highly active personality in Lebanese political life. A parliamentary deputy and President of the Parliamentary Commission for Culture and Education, she is also involved in regional politics as the Vice-President of the Commission for Women at the Arab Inter-parliamentary Union.

Bahia Hariri was designated UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in November 2000. Deeply concerned about the preservation of historical heritage, she has campaigned on behalf of the inscription of the temple of Echmoun in the ancient city of Saida as a UNESCO World Heritage site. She initiated a local UNESCO seminar, focusing on finding ways to balance urban development with cultural and ecological preservation.

A dedicated champion of woman’s rights, Bahia Hariri has consistently promoted the status of women in Arab society, campaigning for the adoption of laws protecting women and contributing to their emancipation.

· Mrs Bahia Hariri was born in Lebanon

· President of the parliamentary commission for culture and education

· Vice-president of the commission for Women at the inter-parliamentary Arab Union

· Member of numerous parliamentary commissions

· President of the administrative council of the Hariri-Saida foundation

· Has launched the appeals from Kuwait, Tunis, Algiers and Beirut between 1999 and 2000 to support the establishment of a „Day of the Arab woman" and a "Permanent Summit of the Arab Woman"

· Campaigned for the adoption of laws protecting women and helping their emancipation

· Participation in cultural and educational activities aimed at the development of Arab women and the promotion of their role public life

· Support for social solidarity projects

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For nearly thirty years Her Royal Highness Princess Basma bint Talal of Jordan has worked nationally, regionally and internationally to promote a range of global issues, most notably in the areas of human development, gender equity, and the well-being and development of children. Princess Basma plays an active advocacy role through various forums, such as the United Nations, contributing to global strategies on health, education, population, the environment, and the advancement of women. Her Royal Highness is particularly involved with supporting the implementation of sustainable development programmes that address the social and economic needs of marginalized groups.

Her Royal Highness Princess Basma bint Talal was born in Amman, Jordan, on May 11, 1951, to His Majesty King Talal bin Abdullah and Her Majesty Queen Zein Al Sharaf. Her Royal Highness is the only sister of His Majesty the late King Hussein, and Their Royal Highnesses Prince Mohammed and Prince Al Hassan.

Princess Basma is married to Walid Al Kurdi and has two daughters and two sons: Farah (March 25, 1971), Ghazi (July 21, 1974), Saad (November 8, 1982) and Zein Al Sharaf (June 1, 1986).

Princess Basma received her primary education at the Ahliyyah School in Amman, and then joined Benenden School in England. She went on to specialize in languages at Oxford University. In addition to Arabic, she is fluent in English, speaks French and has studied Spanish.

In May 2001, Princess Basma was awarded a DPhil degree from Oxford University. Her thesis entitled, "Contextualising development in Jordan: the arena of donors, state and NGOs," examines the evolution of Jordan's development process as shaped by political and economic factors. Within this context, the thesis traces the growth of civil society entities, particularly those working in social development, and as they respond to conditions at the local, national and international levels.

If interested in visiting her web page:

http/www.princessbasma.jo/

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Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah (formerly Rania Al-Yasin) was born in Kuwait on August 31, 1970 to a notable Jordanian family of Palestinian origin. She completed her primary and secondary education in Kuwait, and in 1991 obtained a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the American University in Cairo. Upon her graduation from university, Queen Rania returned to Jordan and pursued a career in banking, followed by a brief career in the field of Information Technology.

His Majesty King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein (then Prince) married Queen Rania on June 10, 1993. After her marriage to then Prince Abdullah, Queen Rania channeled her energies behind initiatives that aim to improve the livelihood of Jordanians from various sectors of society. As First Lady, Queen Rania's activities encompass issues of national concern, such as the environment, youth, human rights, tourism, and culture, among others. She also has a special interest in several core issues: the development of income-generating projects and the advancement of best practices in the field of microfinance, the promotion of family safety and the protection of children from violence, the promotion of Early Childhood Development, and the incorporation of Information Technology into the educational system; and the promotion of tourism and the preservation of Jordan’s heritage.

The Queen currently heads the Higher National Committee of the Declaration of Amman the Arab Cultural Capital 2002. She heads the Higher National Committee of the Jordan Song Festival, and also annually lends her patronage to the Jordanian Festival for the Arab Child Song. In tribute to His Majesty the Late King Hussein, and on the first anniversary of his passing away, Queen Rania produced “The King’s Gift”--a children’s book about the Late King. Proceeds of the book go to the benefit of underprivileged children across Jordan.

She is also Honorary President of the Arab Academy for Banking and Financial Sciences (AABFS), a pioneering institute in the region offering technical and academic training in banking and financial services. And is also Honorary President of the Arab Women Labor Affairs Committee of the Arab Labor Organization. She is President of the Jordan Society for Organ Donation and the Jordan Cancer Society. On July 12, 2001, Queen Rania was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. She is fluent in Arabic and English, and has a working knowledge of French.
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From schoolgirl Emma to Asma, the Syrian icon

Asma Akhras was raised in London. Today she returns as wife of Syria's leader. Peter Beaumont talks exclusively to the woman who has become a symbol of President Bashar Assad's ambition to reform his country

Sunday December 15, 2002
The Observer

When Asma Akhras became Mrs Assad, new wife of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the doom-mongers in the British media predicted a life of subservience and isolation for the attractive British-born and educated young merchant banker. So when she dropped out of sight for a few months after her private wedding on New Year's Day 2001, they must have thought that they had got it right.

Instead, as they will find out this week, they got it very wrong indeed. So what happened in the months after the wedding, when she seemed to disappear from view? In her first-ever interview, Mrs Assad told The Observer that she did not disappear. Instead, she spent the first weeks of her marriage in jeans and T-shirt, travelling incognito around the rural areas of Syria. After a wedding in which only the closest family members had been invited to a private service, she wanted to get a handle on the country.

Article continues

'To be honest,' she says, 'I wanted to meet [ordinary Syrians] before they met me. Before the world met me,' she adds. 'I was able to spend the first couple of months wandering around, meeting other Syrian people. It was my crash course. I would just tag along with one of the many programmes being run in the rural areas. Because people had no idea who I was, I was able to see people completely honestly, I was able to see what their problems were on the ground, what people are complaining about, what the issues are. What people's hopes and aspirations are. And seeing it first-hand means you are not seeing it through someone else's eyes. It wasn't to spy on them. It was really just to see who they are, what they are doing.'

Tonight Asma Assad - the girl once known as Emma at her Church of England school in west London, where she grew up - will be back in Britain for only the second time since her wedding two years ago. But this time it will not be for a visit to her parents' home in Acton, but to accompany her husband to Downing Street for Syria's first official visit.

In three days, she will be presented to the Queen at Buckingham Palace and later meet Prince Charles, not as the submissive consort that some glibly predicted, but as an equal partner of her husband, Bashar. How equal is made clear when President Assad, a 35-year-old former doctor who trained in London as an opthalmologist, comes in at the end of this interview with his wife in Damascus.

The President asks for the microphones to be turned off and my notebook to be put away. He wants to chat, but it is not an interview. And for a moment, with the constraints of protocol and diplomacy stripped away, as they sit together on a sofa, you have an insight into their life together: a lively, humorous dialogue in which they lob ideas between them like a tennis ball.

This week Asma Assad will continue on her rapid learning curve. Not that her visit will be without controversy. Even before an interview in Friday's Times, in which President Assad said he 'understood' why young Palestinians became suicide bombers, and expressed his deep reservations over the United States' rush to war against Iraq, Israeli and Jewish groups were protesting at the visit, accusing his country of sponsoring terrorism. Others challenge his country's record on human rights, in particular the violent suppression of Islamic radical groups under his father, Hafez. And for decades

Syria was identified in the West with Iraq as one of the most despotic regimes in the region, banning dissent and independent media, and virulently opposing the existence of the state of Israel. Things have changed since Bashar's succession, insist British officials. But it has been a mixed picture so far. While Assad has invited criticism of his regime, shut prisons linked to rights abuses, and freed prominent opposition figures, other dissidents were arrested this year. Access to the internet is permitted and there has been some liberalisation of the media. But his desire to 'reform and modernise' his country has so far had only mixed results against the opposition of hardliners who preferred his father's tough approach.

All this has had the effect of thrusting Asma Assad further into the limelight. In just two years, she has been transformed from being unknown to ordinary Syrians to being a kind of icon of both her husband' s policy to modernise and reform his country, and Syria's wider engagement with the West.

This has been achieved without the kind of personality cult that surrounds her husband and his family. In Damascus, posters of Bashar compete with pictures of his father, who led Syria in its darkest times, and Bashar's brother Basil, his father's heir-apparent, who died in a car crash in 1994.

But there are no posters of Asma. Instead she is known almost universally as al akilatu al rais: simply the President's wife. Her new prominence has been achieved while avoiding interviews, avoiding the kind of meaningless feel-good statements of what she plans to do, and while protecting her privacy.

And when she does talk, it is not in generalities. It is about the specifics of the schemes that interest her and that she has initiated: about the intricacies of micro-credit schemes tailored to Syrian society and rural life, about her country's social capital, and about her ambitions to bridge the gap between Syria's information-rich and information-poor. FIDROS, the NGO she founded in July 2001, is the result both of those first months of incognito research and of the realisation that Syria faces a demographic problem. Forty-five per cent of the population is under 15. Fearing the destabilising impact of a massive influx to the cities, her NGO is aimed at improving village communities through sustainable development and interest-free loans.

What is clear is that this is not some Evita-like first lady's 'hobby horse'. Asma Assad regards it as her work.

She explains her reticence until now to talk about her life and work: 'I let actions speak for themselves, rather than saying "I want to... I will" and so forth. The results are much larger and much bigger than any words that anybody can say, and that's the philosophy I've had from day one. I think that's probably something I took from the UK. Let the actions speak for themselves.

'I obviously am not going to speak on his [the President's] behalf, but he did know from day one that I was a working woman. He knew JP Morgan took up a lot of my time. So he knew that work for me was a big priority and still is. So it never really came up in conversation.'

And although she denies it, it still seems a remarkable journey. Three years ago Asma Assad was working in mergers and acquisitions at the bankers JP Morgan. She had been accepted for a Harvard MBA. The daughter of Syrian parents - her father is a cardiologist - they insisted on speaking Syrian at home. 'I didn't realise until I was seven that they could actually speak English,' she says. But for all the annual holidays in Syria, she had an English childhood and education, culminating in a degree in computer science at King's College.

She casts some light, too, on how she came to know Bashar, an issue much speculated on, although with little accuracy. 'It is not quite as grand as the British press is trying to make out. We have been friends for a very long time. I came to Syria every year since I was born. It is really through family friends who knew each other since childhood.'

So their friendship became something else while he was studying in England? 'We hardly saw each other at all. And, if we did, it was more on a friendly basis and nothing else.' I ask when she knew they would be married. 'The day before,' she laughs.

Our meeting is in the Presidential Palace in Damascus, a place of vast halls and marble floors. But when I ask about the transition from the London suburbs to life in a palace, she laughs again: 'We don't live in a palace. We live in a house in the city. This is just an official place for meeting people.' Indeed, she goes out of her way to insist on the normality of her life. The couple dine in public restaurants, visit the theatre and have no nanny for their toddler, Hafez. I ask her, as a mother in a country next to Iraq, if she is not afraid of these dangerous times.

'I think the Middle East has always had this feeling. We are constantly aware of it, and we live in the situation. Am I aware of it specifically? I think it is part of our life. It exists. The question here is how long do we live with that? And how do we ensure we keep moving?'

And to keep moving - they both insist - a dialogue is necessary. This week's visit to Britain is part of that dialogue.

I ask her about her sense of identity, about being Emma the English schoolgirl and Asma the Syrian daughter; about being the British banker and the Syrian President's wife.

'I can't say I was "Emma". No. I wasn't Emma. I was "Emma", as you call somebody sweetheart or sweetie or darling or so forth,' she insists.

'I was born in London. I spent 25 years in London. But I also know that I am Syrian. I speak the language fluently; I read and write it. I am British and I am an Arab,' she says emphatically. 'I am not one or the other. I am part of both worlds.'

It is an issue of identity that concerns both her husband and herself, conscious that, against the background of the activities of Osama bin Laden and the threat of war with Iraq, being an Arab or Muslim has become suspect to many in the West.

Bashar Assad is understood to be concerned that, in the West, there is at the moment a 'narrowing of the mind' when it comes to those who live in the Middle East, a view shared by his wife, who blames Western media for many of the current problems. 'I think it's just living with different faiths, different beliefs and ideas,' she says. 'You cannot, like children, say "the Arab world, the British world". Is there someone who is artificially British like that? I doubt that.

'It is not accurate to label the Arab world as one big block. It is not accurate to label Islam, the Islamic world, as one big block, as I'm sure that Europe is not labelled. It is just Europe - made up of several countries, various cultures, various civilisations, histories and even languages. The Arab world is very similar.

'The Arab world is not just one block. We're all human beings, we all wish for prosperity, we all wish for better health for our children, better education for our children; for better standards of living and quality of life regardless of where we live, and that is really what unites us. The differences - if you want to call them differences - are just a misunderstanding. Civilisation is humanity. I think we all want the same thing.'

International agreements

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GLOSSARY

This section provides a guide to terms commonly used in relation to treaties and employed in the practice of the Secretary-General as depositary of multilateral treaties, as well as in the Secretariat's registration function. Where applicable, a reference to relevant provisions of the Vienna Convention 1969 is included.

acceptance	See ratification.
accession	Accession is the act whereby a State that has not signed a treaty expresses its consent to become a party to that treaty by depositing an "instrument of accession" (see annex 5). Accession has the same legal effect as ratification, acceptance or approval. The conditions under which accession may occur and the procedure involved depend on the provisions of the relevant treaty. Accession is generally employed by States wishing to express their consent to be bound by a treaty where the deadline for signature has passed. However, many modern multilateral treaties provide for accession even during the period that the treaty is open for signature. See articles 2(b) and 15 of the Vienna Convention 1969.
adoption	Adoption is the formal act by which negotiating parties establish the form and content of a treaty. The treaty is adopted through a specific act expressing the will of the States and the international organizations participating in the negotiation of that treaty, e.g., by voting on the text, initialling, signing, etc. Adoption may also be the mechanism used to establish the form and content of amendments to a treaty, or regulations under a treaty. Treaties that are negotiated within an international organization are usually adopted by resolution of the representative organ of that organization. For example, treaties negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations, or any of its bodies, are adopted by a resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations. Where an international conference is specifically convened for the purpose of adopting a treaty, the treaty can be adopted by a vote of two thirds of the States present and voting, unless they have decided by the same majority to apply a different rule. See article 9 of the Vienna Convention 1969.
amendment	Amendment, in the context of treaty law, means the formal alteration of the provisions of a treaty by its parties. Such alterations must be effected with the same formalities that attended the original formation of the treaty. Multilateral treaties typically provide specifically for their amendment. In the absence of such provisions, the adoption and entry into force of amendments require the consent of all the parties. See articles 39 and 40 of the Vienna Convention 1969.
approval	See ratification.
authentication	Authentication is the procedure whereby the text of a treaty is established as authentic and definitive. Once a treaty has been authenticated, its provisions cannot be modified except by formal amendment. If procedures for authentication have not been specifically agreed, the treaty will usually be authenticated by signature, or initialling, by the representatives of those States. It is this authenticated text that the depositary uses to establish the original text. See article 10 of the Vienna Convention 1969. authentic language A treaty typically specifies its authentic languages - the languages in which the meaning of its provisions is to be determined. authentic or authenticated text The authentic or authenticated text of a treaty is the version of the treaty that has been authenticated by the parties.
bilateral treaty	See treaty.
certified true copy	certified true copy for depositary purposes A certified true copy for depositary purposes means an accurate duplication of an original treaty, prepared in all authentic languages, and certified as such by the depositary of the treaty. The Secretary-General of the United Nations circulates certified true copies of each treaty deposited with the Secretary-General to all States and entities that may become parties to the treaty. For reasons of economy, the Secretary-General, as depositary, normally provides only two certified true copies to each prospective participant in the treaty. States are expected to make any additional copies required to fulfil their domestic needs. See article 77(1)(b) of the Vienna Convention 1969. certified true copy for registration purposes A certified true copy for registration purposes means an accurate duplication of a treaty submitted to the Secretariat of the United Nations for registration. The registering party must certify that the text submitted is a true and complete copy of the treaty and that it includes all reservations made by the parties. The date and place of adoption, the date and the method whereby the treaty has come into force, and the authentic languages must be included. See article 5 of the Regulations.
certifying statement	A certified true copy for registration purposes means an accurate duplication of a treaty submitted to the Secretariat of the United Nations for registration. The registering party must certify that the text submitted is a true and complete copy of the treaty and that it includes all reservations made by the parties. The date and place of adoption, the date and the method whereby the treaty has come into force, and the authentic languages must be included. See article 5 of the Regulations.
C.N.	See depositary notification.
consent to be bound	A State expresses its consent to be bound by a treaty under international law by some formal act, i.e., definitive signature, ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. The treaty normally specifies the act or acts by which a State may express its consent to be bound. See articles 11-18 of the Vienna Convention 1969.
contracting State	A contracting State is a State that has expressed its consent to be bound by a treaty where the treaty has not yet entered into force or where it has not entered into force for that State. See article 2(1)(f) of the Vienna Convention 1969.
convention	Whereas in the last century the term "convention" was regularly employed for bilateral agreements, it is now generally used for formal multilateral treaties with a broad number of parties. Conventions are normally open for participation by the international community as a whole, or by a large number of States. Usually instruments negotiated under the auspices of an international organization are entitled conventions. The same holds true for instruments adopted by an organ of an international organization.
correction	Correction of a treaty is the remedying of an error in its text. If, after the authentication of a text, the signatory and contracting States agree that an error exists, those States can correct the error by: Initialling the corrected treaty text; Executing or exchanging an instrument containing the correction; or Executing the corrected text of the whole treaty by the same procedure by which the original text was executed. If there is a depositary, the depositary must communicate the proposed corrections to all signatory and contracting States and States parties. In the practice of the United Nations, the Secretary-General, as depositary, informs all States of the error and the proposal to correct it. If, on the expiry of a specified time limit, no signatory or contracting State or State party objects, the Secretary-General circulates a procès-verbal of rectification and causes the corrections to be effected in the authentic text(s) ab initio. States have 90 days to object to a proposed correction. This period can be shortened if necessary. See article 79 of the Vienna Convention 1969.
credentials	Credentials take the form of a document issued by a State authorising a delegate or delegation of that State to attend a conference, including, where necessary, for the purpose of negotiating and adopting the text of a treaty. A State may also issue credentials to enable signature of the Final Act of a conference. Credentials are distinct from full powers. Credentials permit a delegate or delegation to adopt the text of a treaty and/or sign the Final Act, while full powers permit a person to undertake any given treaty action (in particular, signature of treaties).
date of effect	The date of effect of a treaty action (such as signature, ratification, acceptance of an amendment, etc.), in the depositary practice of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, is the time when the action is undertaken with the depositary. For example, the date of effect of an instrument of ratification is the date on which the relevant instrument is deposited with the Secretary-General. The date of effect of a treaty action by a State or an international organization is not necessarily the date that action enters into force for that State or international organization. Multilateral agreements often provide for their entry into force for a State or international organization after the lapse of a certain period of time following the date of effect.
declaration	(See annex 6.) interpretative declaration An interpretative declaration is a declaration by a State as to its understanding of some matter covered by a treaty or its interpretation of a particular provision. Unlike reservations, declarations merely clarify a State's position and do not purport to exclude or modify the legal effect of a treaty. The Secretary-General, as depositary, pays specific attention to declarations to ensure that they do not amount to reservations. Usually, declarations are made at the time of signature or at the time of deposit of an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. Political declarations usually do not fall into this category as they contain only political sentiments and do not seek to express a view on legal rights and obligations under a treaty. mandatory declaration A mandatory declaration is a declaration specifically required by the treaty itself. Unlike an interpretative declaration, a mandatory declaration is binding on the State making it. optional declaration An optional declaration is a declaration that a treaty specifically provides for, but does not require. Unlike an interpretative declaration, an optional declaration is binding on the State making it.
depositary	The depositary of a treaty is the custodian of the treaty and is entrusted with the functions specified in article 77 of the Vienna Convention 1969. The Secretary-General, as depositary, accepts notifications and documents related to treaties deposited with the Secretary-General, examines whether all formal requirements are met, deposits them, registers them subject to Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations and notifies all relevant acts to the parties concerned. Some treaties describe depositary functions. This is considered unnecessary in view of the detailed provision of article 77 of the Vienna Convention 1969. A depositary can be one or more States, an international organization, or the chief administrative officer of the organization, such as the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Secretary-General does not share depositary functions with any other depositary. In certain areas, such as dealing with reservations, amendments and interpretation, the Secretary-General's depositary practice, which has developed since the establishment of the United Nations, has evolved further since the conclusion of the Vienna Convention 1969. The Secretary-General is not obliged to accept the role of depositary, especially for treaties negotiated outside the auspices of the United Nations. It is the usual practice to consult the Treaty Section prior to designating the Secretary-General as depositary. The Secretary-General, at present, is the depositary for over 500 multilateral treaties. See articles 76 and 77 of the Vienna Convention 1969.
depositary notification (C.N.)	A depositary notification (sometimes referred to as a C.N. - an abbreviation for circular notification) is a formal notice that the Secretary-General sends to all Member States, non-member States, the specialized agencies of the United Nations, and the relevant secretariats, organizations and United Nations offices, as depositary of a particular treaty. The notification provides information on that treaty, including actions undertaken. Such notifications are typically distributed by e-mail on the day that they are processed. Notifications with bulky attachments are transmitted in paper form.
entry into force	definitive entry into force Entry into force of a treaty is the moment in time when a treaty becomes legally binding on the parties to the treaty. The provisions of the treaty determine the moment of its entry into force. This may be a date specified in the treaty or a date on which a specified number of ratifications, approvals, acceptances or accessions have been deposited with the depositary. The date when a treaty deposited with the Secretary-General enters into force is determined in accordance with the treaty provisions. entry into force for a State A treaty that has already entered into force may enter into force in a manner specified in it for a State or international organization that expresses its consent to be bound by it after its entry into force. See article 24 of the Vienna Convention 1969. provisional entry into force Provisional entry into force may be allowed by the terms of a treaty, for example, in commodity agreements. Provisional entry into force of a treaty may also occur when a number of parties to a treaty that has not yet entered into force decide to apply the treaty as if it had entered into force. Once a treaty has entered into force provisionally, it creates obligations for the parties that agreed to bring it into force in that manner. See article 25(1) of the Vienna Convention 1969.
exchange of letters or notes	An exchange of letters or notes may embody a bilateral treaty commitment. The basic characteristic of this procedure is that the signatures of both parties appear not on one letter or note but on two separate letters or notes. The agreement therefore lies in the exchange of these letters or notes, each of the parties retaining one letter or note signed by the representative of the other party. In practice, the second letter or note (usually the letter or note in response) will reproduce the text of the first. In a bilateral treaty, the parties may also exchange letters or notes to indicate that they have completed all domestic procedures necessary to implement the treaty. See article 13 of the Vienna Convention 1969.
filing and recording	Filing and recording is the procedure by which the Secretariat records certain treaties that are not subject to registration under Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations.
Final Act	A Final Act is a document summarising the proceedings of a diplomatic conference. It is normally the formal act by which the negotiating parties bring the conference to a conclusion. It is usually part of the documentation arising from the conference, including the treaty, the resolutions and interpretative declarations made by participating States. There is no obligation to sign the Final Act, but signature may permit participation in subsequent mechanisms arising from the conference, such as preparatory committees. Signing the Final Act does not normally create legal obligations or bind the signatory State to sign or ratify the treaty attached to it.
final clauses	Final clauses are provisions typically found at the end of a treaty, dealing with such topics as signature, ratification, acceptance, approval, accession, denunciation, amendment, reservation, entry into force, settlement of disputes, depositary matters and authentic texts. In the case of multilateral treaties to be deposited with the Secretary-General, parties should submit for review draft final clauses to the Treaty Section well in advance of the adoption of the treaty (see section 6.5).
full powers	instrument of full powers Full powers take the form of a solemn instrument issued by the Head of State, Head of Government or Minister for Foreign Affairs, empowering a named representative to undertake given treaty actions (see annex 3). The Secretary-General's practice in relation to full powers may differ in certain respects from that of other depositaries. The Secretary-General does not accept full powers transmitted by telex or powers that are not signed. The Head of State, Head of Government and Minister for Foreign Affairs are considered as representing their State for the purpose of all acts relating to the signature of, and the consent to be bound by, a treaty. Accordingly, they need not present full powers for those purposes. See articles 2(1)(c) and 7 of the Vienna Convention 1969. instrument of general full powers An instrument of general full powers authorises a named representative to execute certain treaty actions, such as signatures, relating to treaties of a certain kind (for example, all treaties adopted under the auspices of a particular organization).
interpretative declaration	See declaration.
mandatory declaration	See declaration.
memorandum of understanding (M.O.U.)	The term memorandum of understanding (M.O.U.) is often used to denote a less formal international instrument than a typical treaty or international agreement. It often sets out operational arrangements under a framework international agreement. It is also used for the regulation of technical or detailed matters. An M.O.U. typically consists of a single instrument and is entered into among States and/or international organizations. The United Nations usually concludes M.O.U.s with Member States in order to organize its peacekeeping operations or to arrange United Nations conferences. The United Nations also concludes M.O.U.s regarding cooperation with other international organizations. The United Nations considers M.O.U.s to be binding and registers them if submitted by a party or if the United Nations is a party.
modification	Modification, in the context of treaty law, refers to the variation of certain provisions of a treaty only as between particular parties to that treaty. As between other parties, the original provisions apply. If a treaty is silent as to modifications, they are allowed only to the extent that they do not affect the rights or obligations of the other parties to the treaty and do not contravene the object and purpose of the treaty. See article 41 of the Vienna Convention 1969.
Monthly Statement	The Monthly Statement is the statement published by the United Nations Secretariat on a monthly basis detailing the treaties and international agreements registered or filed and recorded during the preceding month (see section 5.7.4).
multilateral treaty	See treaty.
optional declaration	See declaration.
party	A party to a treaty is a State or other entity with treaty-making capacity that has expressed its consent to be bound by that treaty by an act of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, etc., where that treaty has entered into force for that particular State. This means that the State is bound by the treaty under international law. See article 2(1)(g) of the Vienna Convention 1969.
plenipotentiary	A plenipotentiary, in the context of full powers, is the person authorised by an instrument of full powers to undertake a specific treaty action.
protocol	A protocol, in the context of treaty law and practice, has the same legal characteristics as a treaty. The term protocol is often used to describe agreements of a less formal nature than those entitled treaty or convention. Generally, a protocol amends, supplements or clarifies a multilateral treaty. A protocol is normally open to participation by the parties to the parent agreement. However, in recent times States have negotiated a number of protocols that do not follow this principle. The advantage of a protocol is that, while it is linked to the parent agreement, it can focus on a specific aspect of that agreement in greater detail.
provisional application	provisional application of a treaty that has entered into force Provisional application of a treaty that has entered into force may occur when a State unilaterally undertakes to give legal effect to the obligations under a treaty on a provisional and voluntary basis. The State would generally intend to ratify, accept, approve or accede to the treaty once its domestic procedural requirements for international ratification have been satisfied. The State may terminate this provisional application at any time. In contrast, a State that has consented to be bound by a treaty through ratification, acceptance, approval, accession or definitive signature generally can only withdraw its consent in accordance with the provisions of the treaty or, in the absence of such provisions, other rules of treaty law. See article 24 of the Vienna Convention 1969. provisional application of a treaty that has not entered into force Provisional application of a treaty that has not entered into force may occur when a State notifies the signatory States to a treaty that has not yet entered into force that it will give effect to the legal obligations specified in that treaty on a provisional and unilateral basis. Since this is a unilateral act by the State, subject to its domestic legal framework, it may terminate this provisional application at any time. A State may continue to apply a treaty provisionally, even after the treaty has entered into force, until the State has ratified, approved, accepted or acceded to the treaty. A State's provisional application terminates if that State notifies the other States among which the treaty is being applied provisionally of its intention not to become a party to the treaty. See article 25 of the Vienna Convention 1969.
provisional entry into force	See entry into force.
ratification, acceptance, approval	Ratification, acceptance and approval all refer to the act undertaken on the international plane, whereby a State establishes its consent to be bound by a treaty. Ratification, acceptance and approval all require two steps: The execution of an instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval by the Head of State, Head of Government or Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressing the intent of the State to be bound by the relevant treaty; and For multilateral treaties, the deposit of the instrument with the depositary; and for bilateral treaties, the exchange of the instruments between parties. The instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval must comply with certain international legal requirements (see section 3.3.5 and annex 4). Ratification, acceptance or approval at the international level indicates to the international community a State's commitment to undertake the obligations under a treaty. This should not be confused with the act of ratification at the national level, which a State may be required to undertake in accordance with its own constitutional provisions, before it consents to be bound internationally. Ratification at the national level is inadequate to establish the State's consent to be bound at the international level. See articles 2(1)(b), 11, 14 and 16 of the Vienna Convention 1969.
registration	Registration, in the context of treaty law and practice, refers to the function of the Secretariat of the United Nations in effecting the registration of treaties and international agreements under Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations (see section 5).
reservation	A reservation is a statement made by a State by which it purports to exclude or alter the legal effect of certain provisions of a treaty in their application to that State. A reservation may enable a State to participate in a multilateral treaty that it would otherwise be unable or unwilling to participate in. States can make reservations to a treaty when they sign, ratify, accept, approve or accede to it. When a State makes a reservation upon signing, it must confirm the reservation upon ratification, acceptance or approval. Since a reservation purports to modify the legal obligations of a State, it must be signed by the Head of State, Head of Government or Minister for Foreign Affairs (see annex 6). Reservations cannot be contrary to the object and purpose of the treaty. Some treaties prohibit reservations or only permit specified reservations. See articles 2(1)(d) and 19-23 of the Vienna Convention 1969.
revision/ review	Revision/review basically means amendment. However, some treaties provide for revisions/reviews separately from amendments (see, e.g., Article 109 of the Charter of the United Nations). In that case, revision/ review typically refers to an overriding adaptation of a treaty to changed circumstances, whereas the term amendment refers to changes to specific provisions.
signature	definitive signature (signature not subject to ratification) Definitive signature occurs where a State expresses its consent to be bound by a treaty by signing the treaty without the need for ratification, acceptance or approval. A State may definitively sign a treaty only when the treaty so permits. A number of treaties deposited with the Secretary-General permit definitive signature. See article 12 of the Vienna Convention 1969. simple signature (signature subject to ratification) Simple signature applies to most multilateral treaties. This means that when a State signs the treaty, the signature is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. The State has not expressed its consent to be bound by the treaty until it ratifies, accepts or approves it. In that case, a State that signs a treaty is obliged to refrain, in good faith, from acts that would defeat the object and purpose of the treaty. Signature alone does not impose on the State obligations under the treaty. See articles 14 and 18 of the Vienna Convention 1969.
treaty	Treaty is a generic term embracing all instruments binding under international law, regardless of their formal designation, concluded between two or more international juridical persons. Thus, treaties may be concluded between: States; International organizations with treaty-making capacity and States; or International organizations with treaty-making capacity. The application of the term treaty, in the generic sense, signifies that the parties intend to create rights and obligations enforceable under international law. The Vienna Convention 1969 defines a treaty as "an international agreement concluded between States in written form and governed by international law, whether embodied in a single instrument or in two or more related instruments and whatever its particular designation" (article 2(1)(a)). Accordingly, conventions, agreements, protocols, and exchange of letters or notes may all constitute treaties. A treaty must be governed by international law and is normally in written form. Although the Vienna Convention 1969 does not apply to non-written agreements, its definition of a treaty states that the absence of writing does not affect the legal force of international agreements. No international rules exist as to when an international instrument should be entitled a treaty. However, usually the term treaty is employed for instruments of some gravity and solemnity. See article 2(1)(a) of the Vienna Convention 1969. See generally Vienna Convention 1969 and Vienna Convention 1986. Bilateral treaty A bilateral treaty is a treaty between two parties. Multilateral treaty A multilateral treaty is a treaty between more than two parties.

WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN THE EURO-MEDITERRANEAN PARTNERSHIP

PATRICIPATION DES FEMMES AU PARTENARIAT EURO-MEDITERRANEEN

Introduction (en.)

This selection of documents about women’s participation in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership gives the main references of European policy on this subject.

Starting with the paragraphes included in the Barcelona Declaration, we have taken all those passages from official texts, relative to women’s role in the Partnership.

We also thought it useful to publish the speeches of Belgian Vice-Prime Minister and Ministrer of Employment and Equality of Chances policy, Mme Laurette Onkelinx, and the Vice-Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr Louis Michel, on their participation in the EuroMed Forum «Women role in economical development: ‘equality men-women in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership’ dimension». We have included as well the discourse of Mme Onkelinx presenting the conclusions of the Forum in the Ministerial Conference of Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, held in Brussels in November 2001.

More recently, the European Parliament has approved a Resolution about European Union’s policy towards Mediterranean countries relating the promotion of women rights and equality of chances in those countries. This report was the initiative of the Member of European Parliament, Mme Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou.

The increasing number of political documents devoted to this subject shows a growing interest on the question.

Charles Ferdinand Nothomb
Minister of State
MEDEA Chairman

(Note : All following documents are presented in French. English versions of the following texts can be found on the mentioned websites)

Ø Déclaration de Barcelone
Adopté lors de la Conférence Euro-Méditerranéenne, Barcelona 27-28 novembre 1995
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/euromed/bd.htm

Ø Résolution du Conseil No 1284/95 sur l’intégration des questions de genre dans la coopération au développement.
-Règlement (CE) No 2836/98 du Conseil du 22/12/1998 relatif à l’intégration des questions d’égalité des sexes dans la coopération au développement. (Journal Officiel CE-L 354/5 du 30.12.98)
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/development/recueil/en/en15/en152.htm

Ø Stratégie Commune de l’Union Européene du 17 juin 2000 à l’égard de la région Méditerranée
Adopté au Conseil Européenne réuni à Santa Maria da Feira, 19 et 20 juin 2000. (JOL 183/5 du 22/7/2000)
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/euromed/strategie_commune_med_fr.pdf

Ø Résolution du Parlement européen sur la stratégie commune de l'Union européenne arrêtée par le Conseil européen de Feira le 19 juin 2000 à l'égard de la région méditerranéenne
C5-0510/2000 - 2000/2247(COS). A5-0008/2001
http://www2.europarl.eu.int/omk/OM-Europarl?PROG=REPORT&L=FR&PUBREF=-//EP//NONSGML+REPORT+A5-2001-0008+0+DOC+WORD+V0//FR&LEVEL=3&NAV=S

Ø Quatrième Conférence Euro-Méditerranéenne des Ministres des Affaires étrangères, Marseilles, 15-16 novembre 2000
Conclusions de la Présidence
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/euromed/conf/marseilles/conclusions_fr.pdf

Ø Règlement (CE) No 2698/00 du Conseil du 27/11/2000 modifiant le Règlement CE No 1488/96 relatif à des mesures d’accompagnement financières et techniques (MEDA) à la reforme des structures économiques et sociales dans le cadres du Partenariat Euro-Méditerranéen. (Journal Officiel CE-OL 311/8 du 12.12.00)
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/euromed/cr2698_00_fr.pdf

Ø Le rôle des femmes dans le développement économique: dimension "égalité hommes-femmes dans le partenariat euro-méditerranéen"
Forum EuroMed, Bruxelles, 13 et 14 juillet 2001
http://www.eu2001.be/VE_Adv_Press/detail.asp?arch=true&amp;cat_code=BA&item_id=325&curr_page=4&sess=188755849&amp;reference=13%2D01%2E04%2D01〈=fr&

Ø Le rôle des femmes dans le développement économique : dimension égalité entre les femmes et les hommes dans le partenariat euro-méditerranéen"
Discours de Madame Laurette Onkelinx, Vice-Premier Ministre et Ministre de l’Emploi et de la Politique d’Egalité des Chances, Bruxelles, 12 juillet 2001
http://www.eu2001.be/VE_Adv_Press/detail.asp?arch=true&cat_code=BA&item_id=347&curr_page=5&sess=188755849&amp;reference=13%2D01%2E04%2D01〈=fr&

Ø Le rôle des femmes dans le développement économique : dimension "égalité hommes-femmes dans le partenariat euro-méditerranéen"
Intervention de Monsieur Louis Michel, Vice-Premier Ministre et Ministre des Affaires Etrangères Belge; Bruxelles, 13 juillet 2001
http://www.eu2001.be/VE_Adv_Press/detail.asp?arch=true&amp;cat_code=BA&item_id=308&curr_page=4&sess=188755849&amp;reference=13%2D01%2E04%2D01〈=fr&

Ø Conference Ministerielle du Partenariat Euro-Méditerranéen
Conclusions Présidence, Bruxelles, 5/6 novembre 2001
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/euromed/conf/bxl/conc_fr.htm

Ø Conference Ministerielle du Partenariat Euro-Méditerranéen
Intervention de Madame Laurette Onkelinx
Vice-Première Ministre et Ministre de l’Emploi et de la Politique d’Egalité des Chances
Bruxelles, 6 novembre 2001

Ø Communication de la Commission au Conseil et au Parlément en vue de préparer la Réunion de Ministres Euro-Méditerranéens des Affaires Étrangères à Valence les 22-23 avril 2002.
Bruxelles, 13/2/2002; SEC(2002) 159 Final
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/euromed/sec02_159_fr.pdf

Ø Rapport sur la politique de l'Union européenne vis-à-vis des pays méditerranéens par rapport à la promotion des droits des femmes et de l'égalité des chances dans ces pays.
Rapporteur: Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou
{FEMM}Commission des droits de la femme et de l'égalité des chances
Parlement Européen
FINAL, A5-0022/2002, {23/01/2002}23 janvier 2002 . 2001/2129(INI)
http://www2.europarl.eu.int/omk/OM-Europarl?PROG=REPORT&L=FR&PUBREF=-//EP//TEXT+REPORT+A5-2002-022+0+DOC+SGML+V0//FR&LEVEL=3&NAV=S
Ø Déclaration de Barcelone
Adopté lors de la Conférence Euro-Méditerranéenne,
Barcelona 27-28 novembre 1995

[…]
Chapitre II. Partenariat économique et financier: construire une zone de prospérité partagée
Coopération et concertation économiques
La coopération sera développée en particulier dans les domaines énumérés ci-dessous et à cet égard les participants: (…)
- reconnaissent le rôle clé des femmes dans le développement et s'engagent à promouvoir la participation active des femmes dans la vie économique et sociale et dans la création d'emplois;

[…]
Programme de travail
IV. Partenariat dans les domaines social, culturel et humain: développer les ressources humaines, favoriser la compréhension entre les cultures et les échanges entre les sociétés civiles
Développement des ressources humaines
Le partenariat euro-méditerranéen doit contribuer à l'amélioration du niveau d'éducation dans l'ensemble de la région, une attention particulière devant être accordée aux partenaires méditerranéens. A cet effet, les politiques en matière d'enseignement feront l'objet d'un dialogue régulier qui, dans un premier temps, portera plus particulièrement sur la formation professionnelle, la technologie appliquée à l'éducation, les universités et autres institutions d'enseignement supérieur et la recherche. A cet égard, ainsi que dans d'autres domaines, une attention particulière sera accordée au rôle des femmes. L'Ecole euro-arabe d'administration des entreprises de Grenade et la Fondation européenne de Turin apporteront aussi leur contribution à cette opération.

Développement social
Le partenariat euro-méditerranéen doit contribuer à l'amélioration des conditions de vie et de travail et à l'augmentation du niveau d'emploi de la population des partenaires méditerranéens, en particulier des femmes et des couches les plus démunies. A cet égard, les partenaires attachent une importance particulière au respect et à la promotion des droits sociaux fondamentaux. A cet effet, les acteurs de la politique sociale se réuniront périodiquement au niveau approprié.

Ø Résolution du Conseil No 1284/95 sur l’intégration des questions de genre dans la coopération au développement.
Règlement (CE) No 2836/98 du Conseil du 22/12/1998 relatif à l’intégration des questions d’égalité des sexes dans la coopération au développement.
JOL 354/5 du 30.12.98

La présente communication contient des suggestions pour des orientations politiques communes sur l'intégration des questions de genre dans la coopération au développement, et des propositions en vue de renforcer la collaboration et la coopération entre la Communauté et les Etats membres dans ce domaine.

Dans ses conclusions de mai 1993, le Conseil développement a jugé qu'il y avait lieu de revoir ses conclusions antérieures sur l'intégration des femmes dans le développement afin de préparer, pour la Communauté et les Etats membres, des orientations politiques consolidées qui en fassent la synthèse, éventuellement sous la forme d'une résolution. A la suite des suggestions du Conseil, la Commission a entrepris, à titre préliminaire, une étude d'impact afin de faire le bilan des mesures administratives, des stratégies et des procédures adoptées dans ce domaine par la Communauté et les Etats membres.

L'étude d'impact, achevée en 1994, a souligné que "malgré les efforts déployés, dans nombre de pays européens et au sein de la Commission, la participation des femmes n'occupe toujours pas une place centrale et reste marginale. Bien que l'IFD soit largement évoquée ..... elle n'est pas considérée partie intégrante des objectifs de la coopération au développement". L'étude d'impact a confirmé aussi que l'élaboration d'un cadre d'action commun bien clair constituait une étape cruciale pour assurer la cohérence entre les principes et la pratique dans ce domaine.

L'intégration systématique des questions de genre dans la conception, l'élaboration et la mise en œuvre de toutes les politiques et actions de la Communauté en matière de développement sont l'une des dispositions de cette Résolution. Ce processus d'intégration est maintenant dans une phase déterminante; en effet, des outils opérationnels existent - comme l'évaluation de l'impact des politiques sur l'égalité hommes-femmes (instruments permettant de déterminer si les besoins des femmes et des hommes sont pris en compte de la même manière dans les programmes et les projets), des indicateurs de suivi et l'intégration des questions de genre dans la gestion du cycle des projets - mais leur utilisation doit être encouragée à tous les niveaux. Le Règlement (base juridique du poste budgétaire spécifique à l'intégration des questions de genre) a été adopté en décembre 1998.

Comme l'intégration des questions de genre dans la coopération au développement est un processus à long terme, la nécessité de renforcer la prise en compte de l'égalité hommes-femmes demeure considérable. Les conditions nécessaires sont maintenant meilleures, notamment grâce aux nouvelles méthodes de travail et aux nouveaux instruments disponibles comme le document de base sur l'intégration de l'égalité entre les hommes et les femmes, le Plan d'action pour l'intégration du genre, des outils d'examen des propositions de projets et le genre en tant qu'un des paramètres généraux d'évaluation des programmes et des projets. La Commission soutient les plans d'action nationaux fondés sur la plate-forme d'action adoptée à Pékin et mis en œuvre dans les pays en développement et doit poursuivre ses efforts dans ce sens.

Ø Stratégie Commune de l’Union Européene du 17 juin 2000 à l’égard de la région Méditerranée
Approuvé au Conseil Européen de Santa Maria da Feira, 19 et 20 juin 2000
Journal Officiel CE-L 183/5 du 22/7/2000

[…]
Partie III, Domaines d’action et initiatives spécifiques
Volet économique et financier
16. L'UE a l'intention: (...)
de veiller à ce que toute l'attention requise soit accordée à l'objectif que constitue une économie de marché présentant une dimension sociale, notamment en ce qui concerne les principales normes du travail et la promotion de l'égalité entre hommes et femmes.

Volets social et culturel. (...)
21. En sus de la coopération qu'elle mène au sein du partenariat euro-méditerranéen, l'UE a l'intention:
de soutenir les efforts visant à promouvoir la coopération dans le domaine social, notamment en ce qui concerne l'égalité des chances entre les hommes et les femmes, et à renforcer le dialogue social;

d'encourager les efforts visant à améliorer l'éducation et la formation professionnelle, en particulier celles des jeunes et des femmes, pour faciliter leur insertion sur le marché du travail. La coopération régionale à cet égard sera améliorée par l'échange des meilleures pratiques, les transferts de savoir-faire et le renforcement des capacités.

Ø Résolution du Parlement européen sur la stratégie commune de l'Union européenne arrêtée par le Conseil européen de Feira le 19 juin 2000 à l'égard de la région méditerranéenne
C5-0510/2000 – 2000/2247(COS); A5-0008/2001

[…]
[...]

Sur les objectifs de la stratégie commune
16. approuve les objectifs définis dans la 2ème partie de la stratégie commune de l'Union, fondés sur la déclaration de Barcelone; estime que la stratégie méditerranéenne de l'Union européenne doit être axée sur les priorités suivantes: (…)
- sur le plan politique: promotion de la démocratie et des droits de l'homme, progrès économique, social et environnemental et émancipation de la femme face aux différentes formes de discrimination dont elle fait encore l'objet;

Ø Quatrième Conférence Euro-Méditerranéenne des Ministres des Affaires étrangères, Marseilles, 15-16 novembre 2000
Conclusions de la Présidence

[…]
Volet social, culturel et humain
Orientations pour l’avenir
(…)
24. Un consenseu s’est dégagé autour de la nécessité de prendre davantage en compte les effets sociaux de la transition économique dans les programmes nationaux, en mettant l’accent sur la formation, l’emploi, la requalification professionelle et le réforme des systèmes éducatifs. Les Ministres ont également recommandé la mise en place d’un programme régional portant sur les politiques de formation, la promotion du rôle des femmes dans le développement économique, la réforme des systèmes sociaux et la coopération en matière sanitaire, comme convenu lors de la Conférence des Ministres de la Santé de Montpellier en décembre 1999.

Ø Règlement (CE) No 2698/00 du Conseil du 27/11/2000 modifiant le Règlement CE No 1488/96 relatif à des mesures d’accompagnement financières et techniques (MEDA) à la reforme des structures économiques et sociales dans le cadres du Partenariat Euro-Méditerranéen.
Journal Officiel CE-L 311/8 du 12.12.00

[…]
V. Les mesures prises en vertue du présent règlement doivennt tenir compte de l’analyse des besoins et des potentialités des femmes et des hommes dans la vie économique et sociale, de manière que les questions d’égalité des sexes soient prises en compte dans la programmation et la mise en oeuvre de la coopération au développement. Une importance particulière doit être attachée à l’éducation et à la création d’emplois pour les femmes.

Elles tiennent également compte de la nécessité de promouvoir l’éducation et la création d’emplois pour les jeunes afin de faciliter leur intégration sociale.

Ø II Réunion extraordinaire du Forum Parlementaire Euro-Méditerranéen
Bruxelles, 8-9 février 2001
Déclaration Finale

[…]
G. Sur le role de la societé civile dans le Processus de Barcelone révisé (…)
34. recommande la consolidation de tous les mécanismes et programmes de promotion de la femme afin d’intégrer davantage dans le processus de Barcelone et lance la convocation du Forum Parlementaire euro-méditerranéen des femmes qui aura lieu à Malte les 2 et 3 mars 2001;

(…)
J. Pour un renforcement de l’association euro-méditerranéenne dans les domains social, culturel et humain qui la rende plus proche des peuples de la région;
48. demande la mise en oeuvre des politiques pour la formation professionelle, l’université, la technologie et l’éducation, la definition de programmes de développement locaux et régionaux, la promotion de programmes en matière d’égalité des chances, l’hygiène et de sécurité sur le lieu de travail ainsi que la promotion du rôle de la femme dans le développement économique et l’appui aux organisations, associations, enterprises et réseaux de femmes dans les pays de la region;

Ø III Réunion extraordinaire du Forum Parlementaire Euro-Méditerranéen,
Bruxelles, 8 novembre 2001
Déclaration Finale

[…]
Intensification du dialogue inter-culturel et du partenariat socio-économique entre les partenaires euro-méditerranéens
17. Souhaite qui soient développés de manière substantielle les mécanismes et les programmes de promotion de la femme. Apporte son plein soutien au plan d’action regional d’insertion des femmes dans la vie économique, propose aux Ministres des affaires étrangères des pays du processus de Barcelone, lors de la reunion des 5 et 6 novembre 2001, à Bruxelles.

Ø Le rôle des femmes dans le développement économique: dimension "égalité hommes-femmes dans le partenariat euro-méditerranéen"
Forum EuroMed, Bruxelles, 13 et 14 juillet 2001
Ce Forum régional réunit, sous la présidence conjointe de Madame la Vice-Première Ministre, Ministre de l'Emploi et de l'Egalité des Chances, Madame Laurette ONKELINX et de Madame la Commissaire européenne en charge de l'Emploi et de la Politique sociale, Madame Anna DIAMANTOPOULOU, des expert(e)s nationaux/ales des partenaires méditerranéens ainsi que des responsables d'une vingtaine d'ONG représentatives et des organisations internationales concernées.
L'objectif du Forum est:
- L'identification et l'élaboration des grandes lignes d'un programme régional destiné à renforcer la participation des femmes dans l'économie et le développement durable, dans le cadre du programme social euro-méditerranéen qui sera mis en place par la Commission européenne dans le courant de l'année 2001.
- Une analyse des différentes approches et des mécanismes du "mainstreaming" dans le cadre du partenariat euro-méditerranéen.
Les conclusions du Forum seront présentées lors de la conférence ministérielle euro-méditerranéenne qui se tiendra sous présidence belge à l'automne 2001. Elles serviront de base à l'introduction d'un axe ciblé sur les femmes dans le volet social du Partenariat euro-méditerranéen. Concrètement, pour la première fois depuis l'instauration d'une coopération entre les deux rives de la Méditerranée, un budget sera débloqué pour le développement de projets spécifiquement centrés sur l'amélioration de la situation sociale des femmes sud méditerranéennes et sur le renforcement de leur participation dans le développement économique de leur région. Les conclusions que le Forum rendra permettront de déterminer le type de projets à financer et ce, en totale collaboration tant entre les 27 pays partenaires euro-méditerranéens qu'avec la société civile des deux rives.
Le travail de réflexion sur lequel le Forum va se pencher a été réparti en quatre ateliers selon les thèmes suivants:
1.- Accès et participation des femmes au marché du travail
2.- Création de micro entreprises par les femmes
3.- Promotion des entreprises dirigées par des femmes
4.- Education et formation professionnelle des femmes

Ø "Le rôle des femmes dans le développement économique: dimension égalité entre les femmes et les hommes dans le partenariat euro-méditerranéen"
Discours de Mme Laurette Onkelinx,
Vice-Premier Ministre et Ministre de l’Emploi et de la Politique d’Egalité des Chances
Forum Régional EuroMed, Bruxelles, 12 juillet 2001
De quelle que rive qu'on vienne, la Méditerranée nous a tous nourris. Car si nous avons des histoires différentes, nos racines ont plongé à la même source pour irriguer de sève ce que nous sommes aujourd'hui. La Méditerranée, berceau de civilisations, carrefour de trois continents, est plus que jamais Mare nostrum, un trait d'union, un bassin autour duquel il fait bon se rejoindre comme autour de la fontaine ou du puits.
A l'occasion de la Présidence belge de l'Union européenne, j'ai tenu à marquer l'importance de ces liens historiques, culturels, économiques et, demain, pourquoi pas politiques. Les femmes doivent évidemment trouver, dans ces liens, toute la place qui leur revient. C'est la raison d'être du Forum sur l’Egalité des chances entre hommes et femmes dans le partenariat euro-méditerranéen qui nous réunit aujourd'hui et dont la séance d'ouverture est rehaussée par la présence de Sa Majesté la Reine Paola.
La Commissaire européenne Mme Anna Diamantopoulou, en charge des Affaires sociales et de l’Egalité des chances, qui a beaucoup contribué à la concrétisation de ce projet, n’a malheureusement pas pu être parmi nous. Je tiens néanmoins à la remercier pour la collaboration que nous avons eu ensemble.
La Commissaire européenne Michaele Schreyer, en charge du Budget ainsi que Mme Stefania Prestigiacom, Ministre italienne de l'Egalité des chances et Mme Dancausa, Secrétaire générale aux Affaires sociales d'Espagne - pays qui présidera l'Union européenne après la Belgique - sont là également pour témoigner de l'intérêt que la Commission européenne et les Etats membres accordent à la notion d'égalité dans notre partenariat. Votre présence à toutes et tous sonne comme un formidable message d'optimisme et de paix. Malgré les difficultés de chacun, malgré des situations parfois de crise, malgré les conflits qui peuvent hélas opposer les uns aux autres, nous sommes ici comme des partenaires pour tisser des liens, pour créer et pour agir ensemble.
Les pays méditerranéens doivent aujourd'hui relever des défis majeurs tant au niveau de leur stabilité que du renforcement de leur économie, de la démocratie et de la cohésion sociale. Ils aspirent à entrer de plein pied , et sur une base d'égalité et de réciprocité, dans un partenariat avec l'Union européenne.
A l'heure où l'Europe s'apprête à s'élargir vers l'Est, les rapports de part et d'autre de la Méditerranée appellent de nouvelles décisions d'ordres politique, économique et social qui nécessitent une perspective à long terme et des instruments adéquats. C'est en fait la raison d'être du processus de Barcelone qui réunit 12 pays méditerranéens et les 15 pays de l'Union européenne. Mais renforcer les relations entre ces deux ensembles, tracer de nouvelles voies de développement ne peut se faire en laissant sur le bord du chemin la moitié d'entre nous, les femmes, ce qui est encore et toujours trop souvent le cas.
En novembre 1995, la déclaration de Barcelone, reconnaissait " le rôle clef des femmes dans le développement " et s'engageait " à promouvoir la participation active des femmes dans la vie économique et sociale et dans la création d'emplois ". Elle stipulait également que " le partenariat euro-méditerranéen doit contribuer à l'amélioration des conditions de vie et de travail et à l'augmentation du niveau d'emploi de la population des partenaires méditerranéens et en particulier des femmes".
Il y a, hélas, loin de la coupe aux lèvres. En dépit de ces engagements, les activités réalisées par l'Union européenne en Méditerranée sont restées, à cet égard, marginales et sans visibilité. En 1977, le taux d'activité des femmes dans les pays du sud de la Méditerranée oscillait entre 13,4% et 37% selon un rapport de l'OIT (rapport 98-99 Employability in the global economy) et, selon le Rapport mondial sur le développement humain 2000 de l'ONU, le ratio entre les revenus des hommes et des femmes peut y varier du simple au quadruple!
En outre, dans la plupart des programmes initiés par la Commission européenne, alors que le règlement 28 36 prévoit l'intégration de l'égalité des sexes dans la coopération au développement, seul un nombre extrêmement limité de projets répond à cette exigence et encore, trop souvent, de manière purement formelle.

Lors de la quatrième conférence euro-méditerranéenne des ministres des Affaires étrangères qui s'est tenue à Marseille, en novembre dernier, la Belgique a obtenu que l'on intègre dans les conclusions la nécessité de mettre en place un programme régional spécifique pour l'intégration des femmes dans la vie économique. La Commission européenne a ensuite marqué son accord pour lancer ce programme en 2002 et pour lui réserver un budget dans le cadre de la coopération internationale. Sur les 5,3 milliards d'euros que l'Europe consacrera à notre partenariat pour la période 2000-2006, entre 8 et 10 millions d'euros seront dédicacés exclusivement à ce programme spécifique. Ce n'est évidemment pas un quota réservé aux projets présentés par les femmes ou pour les femmes : ce serait alors dérisoire, mesquin et pour tout dire aussi stupide qu'insultant. Ce budget doit en fait servir aux femmes de marchepied pour accéder au partenariat. Il doit les aider et les encourager à monter des projets qui seront financés par l'Europe.
C'est dans cette optique, qu'en concertation avec mon collègue des Affaires étrangères Louis Michel, nous sommes convenus d'organiser ce forum afin de:
- dégager les priorités de ce programme
- faire des recommandations pour la prise en compte effective de la place des femmes dans le processus de Barcelone.
Notre objectif est double:
Autour des quatre domaines d'intervention qui ont été identifiés comme prioritaires à savoir l'accès des femmes à l'emploi, le soutien à la création d'entreprises dirigées par des femmes, les outils financiers et l'éducation et la formation, il s'agit de dégager des actions concrètes visant à déterminer le type de projets qui pourraient bénéficier d'un financement européen.
A partir de cette expérience concrète, il s'agit de transposer cette démarche à tous les autres piliers qui constituent le partenariat euro-méditerranéen : je veux parler du partenariat politique, économique et financier, social, culturel et humain. Une transposition qui devrait s'étendre également aux coopérations bilatérales.

Cette démarche s'inscrit dans l'engagement que j'ai pris, dans le cadre de la Présidence belge de l'Union européenne, de procéder à deux exercices de mainstreaming, c'est-à-dire de la prise en compte de la question de l'égalité des femmes et des hommes dans des domaines autres que les affaires sociales. C'est ainsi que les conclusions de ce Forum seront présentées par mon collègue Louis Michel et moi-même lors de la réunion ministérielle du partenariat euro-méditerranéen qui aura lieu ici, à Bruxelles, en novembre prochain.
Pour atteindre ces objectifs et répondre de la manière la plus constructive aux besoins exprimés par les femmes des partenaires méditerranéens, j'ai initié la démarche suivante: Une mission exploratoire a eu lieu dans les 12 pays du partenariat euro-méditerranéen en vue: - d'identifier les expertes et les représentantes de la société civile qui participent à ce forum - de demander la rédaction d'un rapport national sur la situation des femmes dans la vie économique. Ces rapports nationaux ont été présentés et discutés, lors de la rencontre du 16 juin dernier à laquelle ont pris part les 12 experts des partenaires méditerranéens et les 4 expertes européennes qui avaient préparé les rapports sur la situation des femmes dans la vie économique dans l'Union européenne.
Lors de cette journée de travail, les expertes, partant de l'analyse de la situation dans chaque pays, ont mis en évidence les éléments communs permettant de dégager les priorités du programme régional. Le document de cadrage et le projet de recommandations qui vous sont soumis aujourd'hui et qui seront discutés durant ces deux journées, sont le résultat de ce processus original.
Tout au long de cette initiative, j'ai tenu à associer les sociétés civiles des partenaires méditerranéens et les gouvernements ainsi que la Commission européenne afin que le programme, qui sera lancé l'an prochain, réponde au mieux aux besoins de tous les acteurs concernés et atteigne réellement les objectifs poursuivis.
J'espère que la Présidence belge de l'Union européenne aura ainsi apporté une contribution réelle, tant au renforcement des relations et de la coopération entre les partenaires méditerranéens et l'Union européenne qu'à l'enrichissement des relations entre les pays du sud de la Méditerranée. Et j'espère surtout qu'elle aura contribué à donner aux femmes la place à laquelle elles ont droit.

En effet, l'accès à l'indépendance économique et politique des femmes, leur participation active et formelle au marché de l'emploi, en un mot leur implication à tous les niveaux de la société nécessite une action concertée des pays partenaires tant européens que méditerranéens. Ce n'est qu'à cette condition que l'on pourra voir se développer un meilleur équilibre entre les femmes et les hommes, un plus grand respect de l'égalité et de la démocratie et arriver à un développement durable et équilibré de cette région dans un échange harmonieux avec l'Union européenne. On sait aussi combien la contribution des femmes est importante dans les situations de conflits et donc, dans les processus de paix. Les femmes ont la magie et l'art de tisser...de tisser des liens durables et profonds. Je suis persuadée que cette réunion permettra de construire de tels liens essentiels pour bâtir un monde où l'égalité ne sera plus un rêve mais une réalité.
La route est encore longue. Je viens ainsi d'apprendre qu'à la sinistre image de ce qui se fait dans l'Afghanistan des talibans, une femme vient d'être lapidée en Iran, un pays où l'on croyait ce type de barbarie révolu. Elle s'appelait Maryam Ayoobi. Après avoir reçu une centaine de coups de fouet, elle a été jetée dans une fosse en terre où elle a été lapidée à mort. La Commissaire Diamantopoulou et moi-même sommes révoltées par cet obscurantisme et le condamnons de la manière la plus ferme. Une telle sauvagerie ne peut être tolérée plus longtemps par la Communauté internationale, par la communauté des hommes et des femmes.
Face à cette situation intolérable, je veux croire que le dialogue établi entre nous pendant ces deux jours pourra s'élargir, fructifier, et s'étendre partout où des inégalités et des injustices à l'encontre des femmes - et des hommes - sont encore présentes. Le dialogue, la rencontre, sont des facteurs essentiels pour que nous progressions dans la voie de l'égalité des femmes et des hommes et pour que nous progressions vers un monde de paix. C'est, pour nous, un devoir.
Ø Le rôle des femmes dans le développement économique: dimension "égalité hommes-femmes dans le partenariat euro-méditerranéen"
Intervention de Monsieur Louis Michel,
Vice-Premier Ministre et Ministre de d’affaires Étrangères (Belgique)
Forum Régional Euro-Med, Bruxelles, 13 juillet 2001
Je suis très heureux de vous accueillir dans ce palais d’Egmont qui a été rénové en vue de la présidence belge du Conseil de l’Union européenne. La rénovation a eu pour but d'assurer la participation de tous et de toutes aux réunions organisées par la présidence dans de bonnes conditions. Ce souci d'une meilleure participation est certainement un sentiment qui nous anime aujourd'hui étant donné que c'est bien de cela que le forum va traiter de la dimension égalité entre les femmes et les hommes dans le partenariat euro-méditerranéen et plus particulièrement dans le développement économique de la région.
Pour bien situer le forum je voudrais vous rappeler que lors de notre dernière réunion des ministres des affaires étrangères du partenariat euro-méditerranéen, en novembre 2000 à Marseille, la présidence française avait suggéré qu’à l’avenir les ministres consacrent plus de temps au volet social, humain et culturel du partenariat. Je me réjouis donc que la première activité sous présidence belge traite de ce thème qui relèvent du troisième pilier du processus de Barcelone.
Cette activité a lieu grâce à l'investissement de ma collègue, la Vice-Première Ministre Madame L.Onkelinx, de son équipe de collaborateurs, collaboratrices et consultantes ainsi que de la Commission européenne dans cet important projet. Je tiens à les remercier de l’intense travail préparatoire qu’ils ont fourni.
Les attentes des femmes euro-méditerranéennes sont grandes par rapport aux réflexions et aux actions concernant les plans nationaux d'intégration de la femme dans le développement. En effet, leur rôle dans le développement économique est central dans la région euro-méditerranéenne et cela indépendamment du processus de Barcelone. Ce que nous visons ici, c’est faire de ce thème également une priorité au sein du partenariat pour qu’il puisse apporter une plus-value à ce qui se fait sur un plan national.
Quoi de plus normal que cette question, qui est une question de société, soit traitée dans un cadre multilatéral. Le présent forum permettra aux participantes et aux participants de faire part de leurs expériences et de leurs attentes. En regroupant celles-ci on devrait arriver à établir des bases communes destinées à assurer le suivi du forum. Il ne s'agit pas de mettre la barre trop haut ni trop bas. Il faut que les propositions correspondent à ce que la société comprend et accepte.
Un des objectifs du partenariat est une meilleure connaissance tant des politiques que des différentes attitudes des acteurs sociaux par rapport à l'accès des femmes aux facteurs de développement. Pour bien saisir les données du problème il faudrait aussi examiner les éléments culturels, à savoir les comportements, les attitudes et les préjugés des personnes. Ce qui est en jeu c’est la liberté réelle. La justice sociale est un objectif partagé dans les partenariats dans lesquels l’Union européenne s'engage avec ses voisins tant de l'Est que du Sud. La fonction de la justice sociale, n’est-elle pas d’assurer le minimum de cette liberté réelle ? Ceci implique non seulement la permission de faire quelque chose, mais aussi la mise en œuvre de moyens pour y arriver.
Le rôle des femmes dans le développement économique doit maintenant prendre sa place à côté des autres sujets stratégiques traités dans le partenariat comme la démocratisation et l'Etat de droit. Lorsqu'on parle d’Etat de droit on se réfère nécessairement à la tension qui existe entre le droit en vigueur et le droit idéal et cela depuis l'antiquité. La mise en œuvre effective du principe d'égalité entre les femmes et les hommes implique certains arrachements culturels par rapport à des situations anciennes vécues comme des situations de violence. Chaque culture aménage sa manière de régler cette conflictualité. A l’heure actuelle on ne peut cependant plus prétendre avancer dans la démocratisation d'un Etat de droit si on ne reconnaît pas le principe d'égalité.
La manière partenariale de gérer la conflictualité dans le domaine qui nous réunit aujourd’hui sera d'un intérêt particulier pour d'autres grandes questions euro-méditerranéennes. De ce point de vue, je distinguerais l’enjeu spécifique du forum de sa portée plus générale dans le partenariat.
Toute rencontre dans le cadre du partenariat est un défi dans la mesure où elle se déroule sur fond de conflit politique régional. La manière de traiter les choses est révélatrice d'un état d'esprit. Nous connaissons toutes et tous les efforts entrepris par les uns et les autres pour arriver à mettre fin à l'affrontement violent entre deux peuples représentés ici aujourd'hui. Le traitement d'un problème de société dans ce cadre est appelé : une mesure de partenariat à défaut de pouvoir être appelé une mesure de confiance.
La méfiance qui existe entre partenaires est liée aussi à la méconnaissance mutuelle. C’est bien pour cela que la présidence belge poursuivra les efforts en vue d'une meilleure connaissance des préoccupations nationales dans différents domaines tant politiques que culturels. Elle essayera d'ajouter aux présentations nationales qui ont été faites sous les présidences précédentes des présentations à caractère plus général p. ex. en ce qui concerne les politiques des droits de l'homme et la portée de l'universalité des droits de l'homme. Il en est de même pour ce qui concerne les politiques de prévention des conflits.
Mon vœu est que nos travaux puissent illustrer l’existence, chez les participantes de peuples qui s’affrontent aujourd’hui encore sur le terrain, d’un désir de chercher activement des centres d’intérêt commun. Cela m’encouragerait dans les efforts de la présidence à croire que le dialogue donne un sens aux vies des uns et des autres.
Le partenariat a besoin d'être porté par une dynamique qui permet de gérer les différentes conflictualités présentes dans la région. Je suis convaincu que les femmes pourront et doivent jouer un rôle important dans l’instauration de la paix.

La sortie d’une logique d’affrontement doit nous amener vers une dynamique de la vie. C’est à cette dynamique, qui nous porte à chaque instant, que vos travaux donneront de la consistance.

Ø Réunion Euro-Méditerranéenne Ministres Affaires étrangères
Bruxelles, 5/6 novembre 2001
Conclusions Présidence

(Extraits) Les ministres ont entendu un rapport du Vice-Premier Ministre et Ministre belge de l'emploi, Mme Onkelinx, sur les travaux du forum sur le rôle des femmes dans le développement économique (Bruxelles, 14 juillet 2001). Ils ont entériné les conclusions de ce Forum qui a mis en exergue la nécessité de promouvoir le rôle des femmes dans la vie économique dans le respect des valeurs religieuses et culturelles. Plus spécifiquement, des actions seront entreprises pour améliorer l'accès et la participation des femmes au marché du travail et dans les milieux d'affaires (par ex. en facilitant leur accès au instruments financiers). En outre, il a été recommandé que les principes de l'égalité des chances hommes/femmes soient pris en compte dans tous les aspects du partenariat. Les ministres ont confirmé que les programmes nationaux doivent prendre en compte l'impact social de la transition économique. Bien que la dimension sociale soit présente dans tous les volets du partenariat, les ministres ont recommandé de mettre en oeuvre des actions ciblant les groupes les moins favorisés et les plus vunérables. Dans ce contexte et compte tenu du pourcentage élevé de population jeune, les ministres ont recommandé la préparation d'un programme de coopération régionale en matière d'éducation et de formation professionnelle, y compris les modalités de création d'un observatoire euro-méditerranéen sur l'emploi et la formation.

Ø Conference Ministerielle du Partenariat Euro-Méditerranéen
Intervention de Madame Laurette Onkelinx
Vice-Première Ministre et Ministre de l’Emploi et de la Politique d’Egalité des Chances
Bruxelles, 6 novembre 2001

Avant tout, je tiens à vous remercier pour l’opportunité qui m’est donnée de vous informer d’une initiative prise par la présidence belge dans le domaine de l’égalité des femmes et des hommes.

La Déclaration de Barcelone a reconnu « le rôle clé des femmes dans le développement » et s’est engagée dans son programme d’action « à promouvoir leur participation active dans la vie économique et sociale et dans la création d’emplois ainsi que l’amélioration des conditions de vie et de travail. »

Dès le départ, il a donc été reconnu que la réalisation des objectifs fixés par la Déclaration de Barcelone ne peut faire abstraction des femmes qui ont toujours contribué au développement de la société et de l’économie à travers le monde.

Cette reconnaissance se fonde sur le constat partagé que dans les pays méditerranéens comme dans l’Union Européenne, la réalité de la contribution économique, sociale et culturelle des femmes est encore trop souvent sous-évaluée en raison notamment d’une trop faible participation des femmes au pouvoir politique et à la prise de décision.

Certes, depuis le lancement du partenariat euro-méditeranéen, plusieurs expériences en faveur de l’égalité des femmes et des hommes ont vu le jour. A l’examen, il apparaît cependant qu’il s’agit d’initiatives peu nombreuses et ponctuelles. Aujourd’hui, il convient d’élaborer une politique cohérente, capable d’intégrer les femmes dans le développement économique en valorisant leurs potentialités.

Ce sont les premiers résultats des actions entreprises par la Présidence belge dans cette direction que je souhaite vous présenter brièvement aujourd’hui.

Lors de la conférence euro-méditerranéenne des ministres des Affaires étrangères qui s’est tenue à Marseille en novembre 2000, la Belgique a obtenu que l’on intègre dans les conclusions la nécessité de mettre en place un programme régional spécifique pour l’intégration des femmes dans la vie économique.

Dans cette optique, avec l’aide de la Commission européenne, la Présidence belge a organisé les 13 et 14 juillet dernier à Bruxelles un Forum régional d’experts gouvernementaux intitulé “Le rôle des femmes dans le développement économique : dimension égalité hommes-femmes dans le partenariat euro-méditerranéen”.

En se fondant, d’une part, sur l’analyse de la situation des femmes dans les douze pays méditerranéens et, d’autre part, sur le compte rendu d’expériences pertinentes dans l’Union européenne, les objectifs de ce forum consistaient à faire des recommandations concernant les grandes lignes d’un programme régional destiné à promouvoir le rôle des femmes dans le développement économique et à analyser les différents mécanismes et approches de la prise en compte du genre et de l’égalité des femmes et des hommes.

4 domaines d’interventions ont été jugé prioritaires :
1. L’accès et la participation des femmes au marché du travail
2. La création d'entreprises (micro, petites et moyennes) par des femmes
3. Les outils financiers
4. L’éducation et la formation professionnelle

A partir de ces 4 domaines, des actions concrètes ont été dégagées afin de déterminer le type de projets qui pourraient bénéficier d’un financement de la Commission et de transposer dans le futur cette démarche à la fois à tous les autres piliers qui constituent le partenariat euro-méditerranéen et aux coopérations bilatérales.

Les conclusions de ce forum ont d’ores et déjà permis d’alimenter les réflexions stratégiques des institutions européennes pour le lancement, en 2002, d’un programme d’action régional qui aura pour objectif de promouvoir le développement de plans d’action nationaux axés sur deux domaines :

- L’accès et la participation des femmes au marché du travail , par le soutien à la réforme du cadre législatif et à la mise en œuvre de politiques actives en matières de formation et d’emploi ;
- La promotion d’entreprises dirigées par des femmes , par le soutien à la création de réseaux professionnels féminins et de réseaux de femmes chefs d’entreprises et via des mesures facilitant l’accès des femmes aux instruments financiers ;

Outre sa contribution à la préparation et au lancement de ce programme d’action spécifique visant à promouvoir le rôle des femmes dans le développement économique, la Présidence belge s’est aussi attachée à veiller à la reconnaissance de la nécessité de développer à l’avenir une approche en termes de genre et d’égalité dans l’ensemble des volets du partenariat euro-méditerrenanéen.

Pour amorcer ce processus, la Commission européenne a ainsi été invitée à procéder à une évaluation sous l’angle de l’égalité des femmes et des hommes des différents programmes initiés dans le cadre du partenariat euro-méditerranéen afin de prendre la juste mesure de la participation de projets féminins ainsi que de l’impact sur la vie des femmes de l’ensemble des actions entreprises.

La conduite d’une telle évaluation, sous l’égide la Commission, fournira une série d’informations utiles à la décision puisqu’elles permettront d’estimer dans quelle mesure les femmes sont à la fois actrices et bénéficiaires à part entière du développement social, économique, politique et culturel de leur pays visé par ces programmes. La prise en compte de la dimension du genre et de l’égalité pourra ainsi contribuer non seulement à l’amélioration de la conception des programmes qu’à la définition des modalités de leur mise en œuvre dans le souci d’un partage plus équilibré des ressources disponibles.

On le voit, les deux volets de l’action entreprise par la Présidence belge, avec le soutien précieux de la Commission, sont complémentaires. En lançant en 2002 un programme spécifique, doté d’un budget spécifique, dans le cadre de la coopération multilatérale, l’objectif est de donner un signal, un déclencheur afin que la dimension hommes - femmes soit progressivement prise en compte et intégrée dans les autres piliers qui constituent le partenariat euro-méditerranéen ainsi que dans la coopération bilatérale.

Ø Communication de la Commission au Conseil et au Parlément en vue de préparer la Réunion de Ministres Euro-Méditerranéens des Affaires Étrangères à Valence les 22-23 avril 2002.
Bruxelles, 13/2/2002; SEC(2002) 159 Final

[…]
Chapitre 3. Les prochaines étapes: renforcement du Partenariat.
3.3. Partenariat sociel, culturel et humain
c. La diménsion sociale
À la suite des rencontres des ministres des affaires étrangères à Bruxelles, qui ont souligné l’importance de la dimension sociale du Partenariat, la Commission propose deux nouvelles initiatives: (...)
Accroissement des chances des femmes dans la vie économique. La déclaration de Barcelone reconnaît que les femmes jouent un rôle essentiel dans la vie économique et social ainsi que dans la création d’emplois, et que l’on devrait les aider et les encourager à accroître leur participation. À la lumière des résultats d’un forum régional sur le “rôle des femmes dans le développement économique” (Bruxelles, juillet 2001), la Commission envisage de lancer un programme régional destiné à promovoir les chances en favorisant le développement des capacités et l’information (notament l’élaboration d’instruments permettant de suivre la participation active des femmes dans la vie économique), en établissant des cadres d’échange des meilleures practiques et en élaborant des plans d’action au niveau national. Dans ce contexte, les efforts de l’UE visant à promovoir l’égalité des chances entre hommes et femmes et à favoriser l’intégration des questions de genre peuvent servir d’exemple. Les principaux domaines d’action seront les suivants:
accès et participation des femmes au marché du travail, notamment en soutenant les réformes du cadre législatif et l’élaboration de politiques favorisant une formation et un marché du travail actifs; et
promotion du rôle des femmes dans le monde des affaires, notamment en créant des réseaux entre les femmes de carrières libérales et commerciales et en facilitant l’accès des femmes aux instruments financiers.

Ø Rapport sur la politique de l'Union européenne vis-à-vis des pays méditerranéens par rapport à la promotion des droits des femmes et de l'égalité des chances dans ces pays
Rapporteur: Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou
{FEMM}Commission des droits de la femme et de l'égalité des chances,
Parlement Européen. FINAL, A5-0022/2002, {23/01/2002}23 janvier 2002 (2001/2129(INI))
Approuvé le 7 février 2002, (355 votes pour, 30 votes contre et 8 abstentions)

Résolution du Parlement européen sur la politique de l'Union européenne vis-à-vis des pays méditerranéens par rapport à la promotion des droits des femmes et de l'égalité des chances dans ces pays (2001/2129(INI))

Le Parlement européen,
- vu les articles 2 et 3, paragraphe 2, du traité CE,
- vu les articles 13MNU[P1AYES][DELETE]@CHOICE@RES1MNU, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 23, 27 et 28 du traité UE,
- vu la stratégie commune de l'Union européenne à l'égard de la région méditerranéenne arrêtée par le Conseil européen qui s'est tenu à Feira le 19 juin 2000[1],
- vu la déclaration finale du 1er forum parlementaire euro-méditerranéen qui s'est tenu à Bruxelles les 27 et 28 octobre 1998,
- vu la déclaration finale du 2e forum parlementaire euro-méditerranéen qui s'est tenu à Bruxelles les 8 et 9 février 2001,
- vu sa résolution du 11 octobre 1995 sur la politique méditerranéenne de l'Union européenne dans la perspective de la Conférence de Barcelone[2],
- vu sa résolution du 14 décembre 1995 sur la Conférence euro-méditerranéenne de Barcelone[3],
- vu sa résolution du 13 mars 1997 sur le rapport commun de la Présidence du Conseil et de la Commission relatif à la politique méditerranéenne: prolongement de la Conférence de Barcelone[4],
- vu sa résolution du 14 mai 1998 sur les accords euro-méditerranéens[5],
- vu sa résolution du 11 mars 1999 sur la communication de la Commission intitulée: "Le rôle de l'Union européenne dans le processus de paix et l'assistance future au Proche-Orient"[6], ainsi que sa recommandation au Conseil sur la politique méditerranéenne de l'Union[7],
- vu sa résolution du 30 mars 2000 sur la politique méditerranéenne[8],
- vu sa résolution du 15 novembre 2000 sur la politique méditerranéenne de l'Union à la veille de la 4e réunion du Conseil des ministres euro-méditerranéens des affaires étrangères à Marseille[9],
- vu sa résolution du 1 février 2001 sur la stratégie commune de l'Union européenne arrêtée par le Conseil européen de Feira le 19 juin 2000 à l'égard de la région méditerranéenne[10],
- vu sa résolution du 1 février 2001 sur la communication de la Commission au Parlement européen et au Conseil en vue de la préparation de la 4e Conférence des ministres des affaires étrangères de la zone euro-méditerranéenne: "Nouvel élan pour le processus de Barcelone"[11],
- vu la déclaration de Barcelone, ainsi que le programme de travail adopté le 28 novembre 1995 dans le cadre de la conférence de Barcelone,
- vu les conclusions de la Conférence de Malte des 15 et 16 avril 1997,
- vu les conclusions de la Conférence de Palerme des 3 et 4 juin 1998,
- vu les conclusions de la Conférence de Valence des 28 et 29 janvier 1999,
- vu les conclusions de la Conférence de Stuttgart des 15 et 16 avril 1999,
- vu les conclusions des Conférences de Marseille des 16 et 17 novembre 2000,
- vu les conclusions des Conférences d'Ericera, des 16 et 17 novembre 1998, et de Bruxelles, des 24 et 25 mars 2000, sur la promotion du rôle des femmes dans le développement économique,
- vu les conclusions des Forums civils de Malte, de Naples, de Stuttgart et de Marseille,
- vu les conclusions du 1er forum parlementaire euro-méditerranéen des femmes qui s'est tenu à Rome le 27 novembre 2000,
- vu les conclusions du 2e forum parlementaire euro-méditerranéen des femmes qui s'est tenu à Malte, les 1er et 2 mars 2001,
- vu les conclusions du Forum régional de Bruxelles, qui s'est tenu le 14 juillet 2001, sur le rôle de la femme dans le développement économique,
- vu le règlement (CE) no 1488/96[12] du Conseil, du 23 juillet 1996, relatif à des mesures d'accompagnement financières et techniques (MEDA) à la réforme des structures économiques et sociales dans le cadre du partenariat euro-méditerranéen,
- vu le règlement (CE) no 2698/2000 du Conseil, du 27 novembre 2000, modifiant le règlement (CE) no 1488/1996 susmentionné[13],
- vu la déclaration et le programme d'action de la Conférence des Nations unies sur la population et le développement (Le Caire – 13 septembre 1994) ainsi que les conclusions de l'Assemblée générale des Nations unies relative à la conférence sur la population et le développement cinq années après (Le Caire + 5 – New York/1999),
- vu les conclusions et le projet de plate-forme d'action adoptés lors de la 4e Conférence mondiale des Nations unies sur les femmes qui s'est tenue les 4 et 5 septembre 1995 à Pékin: lutte pour l'égalité, le développement et la paix,
- vu les conclusions de la Conférence extraordinaire de l'Assemblée générale des Nations unies, sur le thème des femmes en l'an 2000: égalité entre les sexes, développement et paix au XXIe siècle", qui s'est tenue à New-York du 5 au 9 juin 2000,
- vu l'audition publique sur la promotion de la femme et de l'égalité des chances dans le partenariat euro-méditerranéen, qui s'est tenue au Parlement européen à Bruxelles le 20 novembre 2001,
- vuMNU[P1BYES][DELETE]@CHOICE@RES2MNU l'article 163 de son règlement,
- vu le rapport de la commission des droits de la femme et de l'égalité des chances (A5-0022/2002),

Le rôle des femmes dans le cadre des rapports euro-méditerranéens
A. constatant avec satisfaction que les conclusions des rencontres ministérielles et les résolutions des conférences interparlementaires qui se sont tenues sur la base du processus de Barcelone contiennent une clause particulière concernant la promotion du rôle des femmes dans la vie socio-économique,

B. considérant que, dans le cadre de la même politique, sont organisées des conférences interministérielles et interparlementaires des femmes sur le thème de la situation des femmes et que le budget communautaire prévoit en outre d'accorder une aide financière à leur organisation,

C. estimant que le projet visant à donner un nouvel élan au partenariat euro-méditerranéen prend davantage en compte la dimension féminine (stratégie commune pour la Méditerranée, Feira – 2000, Forum régional des femmes, Bruxelles – 2001, constitution du premier programme méditerranéen régional – femmes et développement),

D. rappelant qu'alors que les règlements MEDA I et II prévoient formellement la promotion du rôle des femmes dans la vie socio-économique, cette disposition reste en réalité lettre morte,

E.
regrettant que, même si les accords d'association avec les pays partenaires en vigueur contiennent toujours une clause générale relative au respect des droits de l'homme, ils ne prévoient pas de clause explicite et distincte (condition sine qua non) sur le respect des droits des femmes,

F. soulignant que, pour les deux partenaires candidats à l'adhésion concernés (Malte et Chypre), la situation des droits de la femme fait l'objet d'un suivi au chapitre relatif à la politique sociale et à la mise en œuvre de l'acquis communautaire dans le domaine du genre,

II. Condition des femmes dans les pays du Sud de la Méditerranée
G. exprimant l'inquiétude que lui inspirent dans certains pays l'aggravation de l'analphabétisme, déjà important, chez les femmes, le délaissement pédagogique que subissent les adolescentes dans les zones rurales, le pourcentage élevé de femmes qui interrompent leur formation secondaire, mais également la faible proportion des femmes qui fréquentent les enseignements moyen et supérieur, surtout en dehors des grandes agglomérations,

H. observant que, même si elle s'accroît, la participation des femmes au marché du travail reste sensiblement plus faible que celle des hommes, et que le chômage entre autres affecte plus particulièrement les femmes, et essentiellement les femmes jeunes, dans les régions urbaines et pour les professions exigeant une formation universitaire,

I. soulignant que, sur le marché de l'emploi, les femmes se trouvent discriminées vu la ségrégation horizontale et verticale, pour des raisons de sexe, vouées qu´ elles sont à des professions traditionelles et au bas de la hiérarchie,

J. soulignant que, malgré la diversité des situations à la fois d'un État à l'autre mais également à l'intérieur des États, la pauvreté et la marginalisation touchent plus spécifiquement les femmes, et en particulier celles des régions rurales,

K. soulignant que la participation des femmes aux programmes d'investissements européens s'avère très faible, faute d'une information adéquate et de moyens financiers, technologiques et humains suffisants,

L . considérant que la participation des femmes à l'exercice de la politique et au processus de prise de décision (gouvernement, administrations publiques, partis, syndicats) est très faible voire nulle,

M. rappelant que, si la législation internationale protège formellement les droits personnels et collectifs des femmes, de nombreux États du Sud de la Méditerranée ont fait diverses réserves à cette législation, tant et si bien que leur application s'avère, dans une large mesure, juridiquement impossible; de l´ autre côté dans les cas où des grandes traités internationaux sont signés et ratifiés sans réserves leur mise en œuvre est difficile du fait de l'insuffisance des mécanismes nécessaires, de la persistance des stéréotypes traditionnels et religieux et de la rareté des mesures positives adoptées pour sauvegarder les droits des femmes et intégrer celles-ci dans la vie socio-économique,

N. constatant que la lutte contre la violence à l'égard des femmes ne fait pas le moindre progrès du fait de l'absence d´une stratégie d´information, de mécanismes de prévention et de répression du délit ainsi que de la carence des systèmes de protection, d'assistance et d'accueil des victimes, mais également de l'insuffisance, du point de vue des victimes de violences, des systèmes d´ acceuil et de l'accès des femmes à ces systèmes,

O. soulignant que la santé de la femme est, traditionnellement, protégée insuffisamment parce que les discriminations graves fondées sur le sexe et le manque de modernisation des régimes de santé rendent difficile l'accès de la femme à la santé,

P. rappelant que, après la conférence Internationale du Caire sur la population et le développement du 5-13 septembre 1994, la notion de santé reproductive englobe non seulement la planification familiale, mais aussi la santé sexuelle et le souci de la grossesse, de l'accouchement et du post-partum; qu'elle inclut en outre la prise en considération de nécessités vitales, telles que la maternité et la prévention des maladies sexuellement transmissibles, parmi lesquelles le VIH, d'un point de vue intégral fondé sur les droits de l'homme et la justice sociale et dont les éléments centraux sont l'accès aux services de santé reproductive et la liberté de décision en matière sexuelle et reproductive afin de promouvoir le bon développement d'une sexualité responsable; faisant observer que l'absence de politiques publiques de santé reproductive et le manque de reconnaissance des droits reproductifs de la femme suscitent des problèmes graves,

III. Les politiques de promotion des femmes dans le cadre de la coopération euro-méditerranéenne
Q. considérant que les femmes ni au niveau de l´administration publique, ni au niveau de la société civile, n'ont pas eu l'occasion de contribuer substantiellement et systématiquement à la planification et à la mise en œuvre de la vision de Barcelone,

R. soulignant que, jusqu'ici, aucun programme régional axé exclusivement sur les femmes n'a été financé sur la base des programmes MEDA I et II; que les rares programmes indicatifs nationaux n'ont été traités que d'une manière partielle et fragmentée au niveau national,

S. notant que d'importantes différences de participation et de mise en œuvre sont constatées parmi les partenaires des programmes indicatifs régionaux et nationaux qui touchent directement ou indirectement la condition et les droits des femmes, certains pays du Maghreb venant en tête, tandis que ceux du Mashrek sont largement en retard et que la situation est très difficile pour les sociétés touchées par le conflit israélo-arabe,

T. soulignant que, dans les évaluations que la Commission européenne opère régulièrement sur les progrès du partenariat, aucune donnée n'apparaît concernant les femmes, ni au niveau régional, ni au niveau national,

U. soulignant que, dans le cadre des prêts consentis par la Banque européenne d'investissement aux partenaires (1996–2000), il n'y a eu aucun financement en faveur de projets destinés aux femmes,

1. demande le respect effectif du contenu de la déclaration de Barcelone à propos des progrès de la démocratie et du respect des droits de l'homme et réclame l'intégration horizontale et expresse, dans les trois piliers du partenariat, de la dimension de genre et, par voie de conséquence, du respect et de la promotion des droits de la femme dans le processus de Barcelone; demande, dès lors, aux institutions européennes, aux États membres et aux gouvernements des pays partenaires de reconnaître, de respecter et de protéger les droits fondamentaux de la femme et le principe d'égalité politique, sociale et économique entre les sexes;

2. invite la Commission, au cours des pourparlers qu'elle doit mener en vue des accords d'association, à veiller à y intégrer la clause démocratique de respect des droits fondamentaux ainsi que la dimension de genre en y introduisant une disposition expresse au sujet de la protection des droits de la femme et également à veiller à ce qu'une politique de suivi de cette protection soit prévue, semblable à celle appliquée pour les pays candidats à l'adhésion, et estime que cette clause, tout comme le mécanisme de suivi, devront constituer non seulement des instruments de répression, mais surtout des moyens pour adopter des mesures positives de sauvegarde des droits des femmes ;

3. invite la Commission à poser la participation des femmes dans le cadre des négociations des accords d'association comme une condition essentielle pour une mise en œuvre équilibrée de la future zone de libre-échange ;

4. demande à la Commission de fournir des informations sur la réalisation et l'application effectives des engagements financiers fixés dans le programme MEDA en faveur du soutien à la participation active des femmes à la vie économique et sociale et en vue du financement d'actions préparatoires et de projets pilotes destinés à l'information et à la formation en matière d'égalité entre les sexes; demande semblablement à la Commission d'étudier la possibilité de créer, dans le cadre du programme MEDA, une action spécifique en faveur des femmes;

5.
invite la Commission, dans le premier programme régional pour la participation des femmes à la vie économique et sociale et au développement, à promouvoir des programmes d'action ayant pour objectif :
a) la promotion de l'éducation et de la formation des femmes,
b) l'accès des femmes au marché du travail, et leur maintien dans ce marché, grâce à un soutien de la réforme du cadre légal concernant les règles du marché du travail, la formation professionnelle ouverte aux moyens technologiques, l'adoption d'actions positives et la création d'infrastructures qui permettent aux femmes de concilier vie professionnelle et vie familiale comme les crèches et les services d'assistance aux personnes dépendantes (personnes âgées, malades, etc.), ainsi que la promotion du rôle de la femme dans les organisations syndicales en facilitant son intégration dans leurs organes de direction,
c) la promotion du rôle de la femme dans le domaine de l'entreprise grâce à la création de réseaux, au niveau régional, mais également l'amélioration de l'accès des femmes aux instruments financiers et aux instruments de crédit,
d) le soutien des actions contribuant à conférer davantage de visibilité au partenariat euro-méditerranéen notamment à l'adresse des organisations œuvrant pour les droits et au rôle des femmes dans le cadre du partenariat,
e) l' élaboration des programmes concernant la protection de santé et de la sécurité des travailleurs sur le lieu du travail,
f) l'amélioration de l'accès de la femme aux services de base de santé reproductive,

rappelle que les projets et programmes à mettre en œuvre devront tenir compte des besoins des organisations féminines dans le pluralisme et en transparence sur le plan local et prévoir le soutien technique et économique indispensable pour que ces organisations puissent en bénéficier;

6. recommande à la Commission et aux États partenaires de prendre les mesures nécessaires pour revaloriser l'image que donnent des femmes les médias, en tirant parti des possibilités qu'offre le programme MEDA-Audiovisuel;

7. demande aux États membres, à la Commission et au Conseil d'honorer les engagements financiers adoptés dans le programme d'action de la Conférence du Caire en matière de population et de santé sexuelle et reproductive dans l'optique de leurs politiques de coopération au développement;

8. souligne que les entraves non justifiées à l'immigration légale favorisent le trafic des êtres humains, des femmes notamment; demande, par voie de conséquence, aux États membres, à la Commission et au Conseil d'appliquer les recommandations du Parlement européen sur le trafic des êtres humains et de se mettre en étroite collaboration avec les pays partenaires dans les domaines de l'immigration et de l´asile en prenant en compte les besoins respectifs des économies de la zone euro - méditerranéenne dans le plein respect des droits des immigrés émanant de la Charte des Droits Fondamentaux et de la politique communautaire;

9. invite la Commission à intégrer la dimension " genre" dans un chapitre distinct de son rapport annuel sur l'état des rapports euro-méditerranéens et le financement des programmes MEDA (données statistiques, recherches, indices de progrès);

a. demande que des statistiques comparables soient systématiquement établies, par sexe, et publiées, pour donner une image plus claire de la représentation des femmes et des hommes dans les processus de décision;
b. invite la Commission et les Etats membres partenaires à promouvoir les droits des femmes en créant un Observatoire – banque de données, chargé du suivi et de l'évaluation de la condition et des droits des femmes dans tous les domaines, et, parallèlement, des centres locaux pour chaque Etat partenaire, appelés à faire un rapport annuellement sur les droits des femmes, ce sur la base d'indicateurs fixes;

10. recommande à la Commission et les Etats membres partenaires de coordonner leurs actions de manière à améliorer les communications et les échanges de vues sur la prise en compte des particularités culturelles dans la planification et la mise en œuvre des politiques de coopération euro - méditerranéenne afin que des efforts soient déployés en faveur du développement d'une nouvelle considération de la situation et des droits des femmes, non conditionnée par des stéréotypes de genre ou de religion, au moyen d'une analyse et d'une réflexion sur la présence et sur le rôle de la femme dans le monde actuel;

11. est d'avis que la Banque européenne d'investissement devrait créer une ligne d'appui financier destinée à des projets structurés ou des prêts, organisés et/ou dirigés par des femmes;

12. préconise que l'on étudie, débatte et évalue la possibilité de créer, dans le cadre du processus de Barcelone, une Banque euro-méditerranéenne de développement;

13. lance un appel aux gouvernements des pays partenaires afin qu'ils montrent la volonté politique nécessaire et qu'ils accélèrent les réformes législatives, administratives et autres en vue d'établir l'égalité juridique entre hommes et femmes et d'intégrer l'égalité des sexes dans toutes leurs politiques, en favorisant la participation des femmes et leur association aux processus de prise de décision, en menant des politiques publiques de lutte contre la violence des femmes, en promouvant une formation spécifique en faveur de la police et la magistrature, en favorisant l'égalité des chances en matière d'éducation (en évitant les absences et l'abandon des études de la part des jeunes filles, notamment) et en renforçant les programmes de santé et de santé reproductive;

14. invite les gouvernements des pays partenaires à soutenir les initiatives et actions entreprises par les organisations féminines dans les domaines cités;

15. estime qu'il est indispensable que les gouvernements des États partenaires coordonnent les efforts qu'ils mènent pour instaurer un dialogue régional axé non seulement sur la proximité géographique mais également sur les progrès réalisés, l'échange des bonnes pratiques et moyens qu'ils utilisent pour relever les défis liés à la démocratisation et à la recherche de la cohésion sociale;

16. demande à l'Union européenne de jouer un rôle actif et résolu dans le règlement du conflit israélo-arabe afin d´instaurer dans la région une paix juste et durable et de créer les conditions permettant de parvenir à un développement politique, économique, social et culturel qui serve incontestablement les droits et le progrès des femmes des deux parties;

17. recommande à la Commission de lancer, en coopération avec les États membres et les pays partenaires, une grande campagne d'information sur le partenariat euro-méditerranéen, le rôle de la femme et les possibilités de coopération et de développement offertes aux organisations féminines dans le cadre des programmes MEDA;

18. invite la Commission à entreprendre les initiatives qui conviennent pour rapprocher les pays partenaires des pays candidats à l'adhésion et des pays des Balkans en instaurant un dialogue régional ouvert aux femmes, qui porte notamment sur les droits des femmes;

19. invite la Commission, les Etats membres et les pays partenaires à prendre des initiatives afin de promouvoir les activités féminines dans des domaines autres que les domaines traditionnelles; à ce but se félicite de l´ initiative annoncée par Mme Reding, commissaire, lors de la réunion informelle des ministres en charge du sport du 12 novembre 2001, consistant à organiser au second semestre 2002 une conférence sur le sport et les femmes dans les pays méditerranéens;

20. Charge son Président de transmettre la présente résolution à la Commission, au Conseil, aux gouvernements des Etats membres, ainsi qu'aux gouvernements des pays partenaires du processus de Barcelone et des pays candidats à l'adhésion.

EXPOSÉ DES MOTIFS

Introduction
La coopération euro-méditerranéenne participe à une vision politique et à un projet vital pour l'Union européenne. Elle ne constitue pas seulement un moyen sûr de promouvoir les intérêts économiques de l'UE mais elle prévoit également la création d'une zone de paix, de sécurité, de stabilité et de prospérité. L'accélération des efforts de coopération exige une plus grande compréhension entre les peuples européens et les peuples des pays partenaires mais aussi l'émergence d'une société active capable de participer à ce processus.

Aujourd'hui, le rôle des femmes dans le cadre de cette coopération est marginal ou concentré dans le domaine économique, ce qui s'avère relativement inefficace. En revanche, pareille vision politique doit faire des femmes des acteurs de la cohésion, de la paix et du développement.

Le but de ce rapport est d'analyser la politique menée jusqu'ici et d'inciter l'Union européenne à mettre en œuvre toutes les politiques nécessaires pour promouvoir les droits sociaux, civils et économiques des femmes de la Méditerranée mais également les pays partenaires à réfléchir aux responsabilités qu'ils ont de répondre par tous les moyens aux défis que pose cet objectif.

I. Le rôle des femmes dans le cadre du partenariat euro-méditerranéen

Les rencontres interministérielles organisées dans le cadre du processus de Barcelone font toujours spécifiquement référence à la défense des droits des femmes: ainsi en a-t-il été à Barcelone (1996), à Stuttgart (1999), à Valence (1999) et à Marseille (2000).

Lors des Conseils européens, dans les déclarations sur la stratégie euro-méditerranéenne, la nécessité est généralement évoquée de défendre les droits des femmes. Le Conseil européen de Feira en a témoigné.

Les résolutions finales des conférences interparlementaires (organisées dans le cadre du processus de Barcelone) contiennent toujours une mention ou une disposition formelle sur les femmes: 1er forum parlementaire euro-méditerranéen de Bruxelles (1998), 2e forum parlementaire euro-méditerranéen de Bruxelles (2001).

Des conférences interministérielles sont organisées sur le thème particulier des femmes (participation des femmes à la vie sociale et économique) dans le cadre de la politique européenne concernant la Méditerranée : Ericeira (1998), Bruxelles (2000).

Dans le cadre de la même politique, des conférences interparlementaires entre les représentantes des parlements nationaux de tous les États partenaires et du Parlement européen sont organisées: Rome (2000), Malte (2001), Madrid 2002.

À l'initiative de la présidence belge, le forum régional sur le rôle de la femme dans le développement économique et la dimension de l'"égalité hommes-femmes dans le partenariat euro-méditerranéen" a été convoqué à Bruxelles en 2001, dans un but d'échanges des points de vue sur l'élaboration du premier programme régional de promotion de la participation des femmes à la vie économique.

Les règlements MEDA I (1996) et MEDA II (2000) contiennent une disposition formelle sur la protection des droits des femmes et sur la promotion de leur rôle dans le cadre de la vie économique et sociale, du développement et de l'éducation[14].

Les accords d’association qui sont entrés en vigueur contiennent une disposition générale sur le respect des droits de l’homme et des principes démocratiques, mais aussi des dispositions particulières sur la nécessité de promouvoir le rôle des femmes, principalement dans le domaine de l’enseignement.

En ce qui concerne les pays candidats à l’adhésion (Chypre, Malte, Turquie), cette adhésion est subordonnée à la mise en œuvre de l'acquis communautaire dans le domaine de l'égalité hommes-femmes, considérée comme un élément du respect des droits de l'homme (critère de Copenhague).

II. Situation des femmes dans les pays du sud de la Méditerranée

Les réalités varient sensiblement d'un pays à l'autre ou d'un groupement de pays à l'autre (Maghreb, Mashrek, pays candidats), mais les données statistiques, ventilées par sexe, dans tous les domaines de la vie économique, sociale et politique, les études réalisées par la Commission et les gouvernements nationaux sur les répercussions de la coopération euro-méditerranéenne en matière de promotion des droits des femmes ne permettent pas d'évaluer la situation, parce qu'elles ne sont pas toujours valables et qu'elles sont de toute manière insuffisantes.

Éducation et formation professionnelle

Malgré les efforts réalisés, de nombreux obstacles à la pleine implication des femmes dans le système éducatif persistent. L'analphabétisme, qui tend à s'aggraver, touche environ 25% des femmes en milieu urbain et entre 30 et 60% des femmes en milieu rural.

Il faut également signaler un taux élevé d'abandon scolaire chez les filles, souvent dû à des choix familiaux reposant sur des conceptions sociales et culturelles anciennes telles que les mariages précoces ou la préférence donnée à l'éducation des garçons.

Bien que, dans de nombreux pays, le pourcentage de filles qui poursuivent des études supérieures et universitaires soit désormais égal ou supérieur à 50% des élèves (Jordanie, Malte, Chypre), les femmes sont insuffisamment représentées dans le personnel enseignant des institutions d'enseignement supérieur ainsi que dans les postes décisionnels.

Dans le domaine de la formation professionnelle, on constate en général la persistance de structures organisationnelles rigides, l’utilisation de matériel pédagogique dépassé, un manque de sensibilité à la dimension du genre et une mauvaise approche chez les professionnels du secteur, une absence de toute prévision quant aux changements qui interviennent sur le marché du travail et au niveau des professions.

Accès et participation des femmes au marché du travail

Dans tous les pays, la participation des femmes au marché du travail a augmenté durant les dernières années même si elle reste nettement moins élevée que celle des hommes.

On constate une forte ségrégation horizontale: l’emploi salarié des femmes se concentre dans les secteurs de l'administration publique, de l’éducation, de la santé, de l’agriculture et des services sociaux.

Le chômage féminin est principalement un phénomène urbain et il frappe également les femmes qui ont suivi un enseignement universitaire. La privatisation du secteur public contribue à un accroissement du chômage des femmes parce qu'elle ne s'accompagne pas des changements structurels appropriés dans l'enseignement et sur le marché de l'emploi.

Le développement de la carrière est entravé par les contraintes familiales (soins aux enfants et aux personnes dépendantes). À niveau de qualification égale, les femmes obtiennent plus difficilement que les hommes des postes de cadre et de direction. L’absence d’infrastructures sociales de garde et de soins permettant une meilleure conciliation de la vie familiale et de la vie professionnelle constitue un obstacle à l’expansion de l'emploi féminin et à l’amélioration des conditions de travail et de vie des femmes.

En ce qui concerne la création et la gestion d'entreprises par des femmes, on note un dynamisme certain dans le Maghreb: en Tunisie, par exemple, où, en 1990, la Chambre nationale des femmes chefs d'entreprises a été créée, 4850 femmes chefs d'entreprises ont été répertoriées en 1994. Les principaux obstacles à la création de micro-entreprises par des femmes sont l'absence de facilités de financement et de crédits, la difficulté de constituer des réseaux commerciaux et le manque de personnel qualifié.

Pauvreté

La pauvreté et l'absence de protection sociale frappent plus particulièrement les femmes. Certaines catégories féminines sont plus particulièrement vulnérables à la pauvreté, parmi lesquelles les femmes appartenant à des minorités, les mères célibataires, les femmes et les jeunes filles de la campagne. La dévalorisation du statut social des femmes divorcées et des mères célibataires ainsi que la précarité de leur situation économique font d'elles une catégorie guettée par la prostitution.

Les femmes dans les postes de décision

En général, la participation des femmes au pouvoir politique et à la prise de décision est très faible. La division traditionnelle des rôles sexuels et des espaces publics et privés, justifiée par des arguments de type culturel ou religieux - statut de la femme dans l'Islam ou dans la tradition juive - contribuent à limiter l'investissement par les femmes du secteur public officiel et des centres de prise de décision.

En dépit de cela, plusieurs partis utilisent la discrimination positive pour féminiser leurs listes. La Tunisie, avec 11,6% de femmes députés et la Syrie, avec 10,4% de femmes élues à l'assemblée du peuple, occupent les deux premières positions parmi les pays arabes en ce qui concerne la présence des femmes au parlement. Dans d'autres pays, les pourcentages sont nettement inférieurs: 4% en Algérie, 0,6% au Maroc, par exemple.

Droits fondamentaux des femmes

Sur le plan juridique, les droits civils et politiques des femmes sont reconnus par la Constitution ou la loi dans la plupart des pays euro - méditerranéens, qui ont également ratifié les principales conventions internationales de l'ONU et de l'OIT. Les principaux problèmes dérivent des lacunes dans la mise en œuvre des dispositions juridiques existantes.

Les droits relatifs au statut personnel rencontrent des difficultés en raison des perceptions différentes des traditions et des prescrits religieux qui peuvent entraver l'accès des femmes à l'égalité. Les stéréotypes en terme de rôle et de responsabilité des hommes et des femmes pèsent sur certaines législations et leur mise en œuvre.

À cela s'ajoutent l’ignorance de l’existence d’une législation favorable à l’égalité, le fait que les femmes ne sont pas informées de leurs droits et l'absence de mécanismes efficaces de suivi de la mise en œuvre de ces droits. Les actions positives sont peu utilisées aussi bien dans le secteur public que dans le secteur privé.

Bien que de nombreux pays aient ratifié la CEDAW, certains d'entre eux maintiennent des réserves sur des dispositions relatives au mariage, au divorce, à l'acquisition de la nationalité (Maroc, Egypte, Jordanie, Turquie). Le code pénal de plusieurs pays contient des dispositions discriminatoires concernant par exemple l'adultère et les meurtres pour atteinte à l'honneur.

La reconnaissance légale de la polygamie (Algérie, Égypte, Jordanie, Maroc) et la répudiation constituent des obstacles à l'égalité. La répudiation et l'abandon permettent aux hommes d'échapper aux obligations attenant au divorce.

Violence envers les femmes
En général, la question de la violence envers les femmes n'a pas de visibilité institutionnelle. On déplore le manque de données, les lacunes des lois en matière d'incrimination du harcèlement sexuel et de la violence, notamment conjugale, l'absence de structures d'accueil pour les victimes et de personnel qualifié dans la police et la magistrature.

Santé

La pauvreté et les discriminations, ou certaines pratiques traditionnelles, ont un impact négatif sur la santé des femmes. La situation en matière de santé reproductive est, dans la plupart des pays, encore insatisfaisante.

III. Les politiques de promotion du rôle de la femme dans le cadre de la coopération européenne pays par pays

PAYS DU MAGHREB (Algérie, Maroc, Tunisie)

Ce groupe de pays vient en tête en ce qui concerne la participation aux programmes MEDA et leur valorisation. Au niveau national, les programmes sont mis en œuvre dans un souci d'équilibre social, qui tienne compte directement ou indirectement du rôle de la femme. Leur participation à des programmes régionaux concernant la femme (indirectement) en particulier au titre du programme MEDA-Démocratie varie d'un pays à l'autre, la Tunisie étant largement en avance sur les autres.

PAYS DU MASHREK (Égypte, Jordanie, Liban, Syrie, Israël et Palestine)

Pour les pays du Mashrek, la situation et, dans les grandes lignes, la suivante : a) en général, aucun programme indicatif national n'est prévu qui concerne directement les femmes (à l'exception de la Palestine), b) les programmes adoptés en vue d'assurer l'équilibre social (Caisse sociale de développement économique et social – protection des populations minoritaires...) touchent généralement à la situation des femmes, c) dans les programmes régionaux, on constate une participation, en particulier en ce qui concerne MEDA-Démocratie, d) pour Israël et la Palestine, les possibilités sont limitées du fait du conflit qui oppose ces deux pays depuis de nombreuses années.

PAYS CANDIDATS À L'ADHÉSION

Chypre et Malte participent à plusieurs programmes régionaux en faveur des jeunes en particulier.

Turquie : dans le cadre de MEDA I, il y a au total 12 programmes nationaux et régionaux, qui concernent soit directement (emploi, santé, formation...) soit indirectement (PME,...) la situation des femmes. Pour l'an 2000, 4 programmes régionaux ont été adoptés. Deux d'entre concernent directement la participation des femmes à la société et au gouvernement, dans le cadre de du programme MEDA-Démocratie.

A propos de MEDEA

1. Objectifs

L’Institut MEDEA a pour objectif de contribuer de façon substantielle à la coopération, le développement et la stabilité dans la région méditerranéenne et dans les relations euro-arabes en général par :
§ l'échange d'information et d'idées entre politiques, universitaires, journalistes et ONGs concernés de part et d’autre;
§ la promotion d’une analyse indépendante et objective;
§ la communication de résultats de recherche aux preneurs de décision, en particulier aux membres du Parlement Européen.

L'Institut MEDEA est une association sans but lucratif de droit belge créée en juillet 1995. Il a commencé ses activités en avril 1996.

2. Activités

§ Production et mise à jour de fiches d’information en anglais et français. Le site contient 475 fiches en anglais et 425 en français qui connaissent un intérêt croissant (en moyenne 1500 visiteurs par jour). Suite aux attentats du 11 septembre 2001, le site a enregistré un nombre de 23.000 visiteurs en quelques heures;
§ Production d’une séléction économique hebdomadaire de la presse arabe, traduite en français et portant principalement sur l’économie, l’infrastructure et le commerce. Cette sélection est publiée sur support papier une fois par mois;
§ Une sélection économique de la presse turque, traduite en français et publiée mensuellement sur support papier;
§ Une page hebdomadaire sur l’actualité européenne et euro-méditerranéenne en langue arabe;
§ Une revue de la presse international quotidienne;
§ Des comptes rendus de conférences;
§ L'Institut organise chaque mois une conférence nommé le 'Thé de MEDEA". Cette rencontre, qui rassemble des diplomates, députés, fonctionnaires européens, experts et journalistes se veut un forum informel pour échanger de d'idées sur la coopération euro-méditerranéenne et euro-arabe;
§ L'Institut tient également de temps en temps des briefings en cercle réduit, nommés les "Entretiens de MEDEA". Ils permettent aux experts en la matière de s'exprimer librement en compagnie d'autres experts;
§ L'Institut compte organiser dans les mois à venir une série de conférences et colloques sur différents thèmes touchant le monde arabo-musulman.

Veuillez noter que l’Institut MEDEA publie régulièrement une Sélection de la Presse Turque, ainsi que chaque semaine, une Sélection Economique de la Presse Arabe.

La sélection et la traduction des articles apparus dans les deux sélections sont réalisées par M. Pierre Vanrie pour l’Institut MEDEA.

Nous avons également une page hebdomadaire en arabe qui traite de la politique européenne cooncernant la coopération euro-meditérranéenne.

Vous pouvez trouver les sélections sur notre site http://www.medea.be, (classées sous des index thématiques et géographiques).

Pour recevoir gratuitement des exemplaires papier de ses sélections, veuillez nous contacter :

Institut MEDEA
10 Avenue de la Renaissance - 1040 Bruxelles
Tel : +322-231 13 00
Fax : +322-231 06 46
Email : info@medea.be

[1] JO L 183 du 22.7.2000, p. 5.
[2] JO C 287 du 30.10.1995, p. 121.
[3] JO C 17 du 22.1.1996, p. 178.
[4] JO C 115 du 14.4.1997, p. 159.
[5] JO C 167 du 1.06.1998, p. 171.
[6] JO C 175 du 21.6.1999, p. 282.
[7] JO C 175 du 21.6.1999, p. 286.
[8] JO C 378 du 29.9.2000, p. 71.
[9] JO C 223 du 15 novembre 2001, p. 147
[10] JO C 267 du 21.09.2001, p. 60
[11] JO C 267 du 21.09.2001, p. 68
[12] JO L 189 du 30.7.1996, p. 1.
[13] JO L 311 du 12.12.2000, p. 1
[14] On distingue les programmes indicatifs nationaux (accords bilatéraux entre l'UE et chacun des partenaires en fonction de leurs besoins) et les programmes régionaux (accords multilatéraux dans les trois domaines d'action du processus de Barcelone).

2007 ride

2007-02-06T10:10:00.002+01:00

FTW 2007 ITINERARY - DRAFT

SYRIA
Friday 6th April

By 5 pm
Arrive Syria (Aleppo International Airport – not Damascus)
Register on arrival at the Areeba FWT 2007 desk at the airport to register and for transfer to hotel.
Passport and admin check - by ??

8 pm
Preparation of bikes and equipment
Welcome to Syria dinner in Tourning Restaurant in Aleppo, followed by a general ride briefing by Detta and Fares.
---
All Day
Country coordinators to arrange arrival*

SYRIA
Saturday 7thApril

Cycle in Aleppo (30 km)
Organised tour to Aleppo Citadel and Souk (on foot)

8 pm
Dinner at al Wali Restaurant
---
From the hotel to the Citadel. Photo opportunities en route. 1 pitstop close to the citadel. Return to the hotel via different route*

SYRIA
Sunday 8th April

Breakfast at hotel
Buses to Baghdad Train Station
FTW train to Lattakia
Lunch on train
Arrive in Lattakia (after 3 hours)Drop luggage in trucks (40 km)
Cycle from Train Station to Hotel
Free time
---
Cycle from station to hotel. 2 pit stops enroute *
Dinner at participant expense *

SYRIA - LEBANON
Monday 9th April

Buses from Lattakia to Beirut. (20 km)
Cycle in West Beirut
Official welcome at UNESCO
Overnight Beirut

LEBANON
Tuesday 10th April

(50 km)
Cycle from Beirut to Sidon
Overnight Sidon

LEBANON
Wednesday 11 April

Cycle from Sidon-Sour
Overnight Sour in camp

LEBANON - SYRIA
Thursday 12th April

Buses to Qana, Bint Jabel for area tour.
To Damascus by bus
Group meeting and chat at Cham Palace Hotel
---
Conference at Cham Hotel to be coordinated by Areeba and Middle East coordinators*

SYRIA - JORDAN
Friday 13th April

Buses to Amman
Cycle in Jordan. Route TBC

JORDAN - PALESTINE
Saturday 14th April
Jericho

- Crossing point closes 1.30 pm -
Early start
Arrival in Jericho. Welcome and lunch with dignitaries and women leaders.
Afternoon: international conference will be held by International, Israeli and Palestinian Women in support of the cause of Peace and Justice.

8pm
Dinner and overnight in Jericho

PALESTINE
Sunday 15th April

Bus tour around the major land marks of Jericho
10.30 am Travel Jericho to Abu Dies -bus
11.30 am Arriving Abu Dies
Cycle around Abu Dies (A Jerusalem Suburb that have been heavily impacted by the Wall.
Lunch in Abu Dies
Travel to outskirts of Bethlehem - bus.
Cycle into Bethlehem.
Reception in Beit Sahour followed by dinner with the local community members mainly women
Folklore display
Overnight in Bethlehem

PALESTINE
Monday 16th April
Jerusalem

Early breakfast followed by a visit to the Church of the Nativity.
10.30 am Ride to Jerusalem.
Welcome to Jerusalem followed by lunch hosted by Women’s organisations.
Tour Jerusalem.
Cycle back to Bethlehem.
Overnight.

PALESTINE – JORDAN
Tuesday 17th April

Return to Amman by bus
Action plans
Farewells
---
Action plan conference*

JORDAN
Wednesday 18th April

Departure (Amman airport)
---
Country coordinators to coordinate departure*

* notes for the day

Gender & gender equality

2007-02-06T10:10:00.001+01:00

"Gender equality" Policy forum in Madrid

March 2005

Spain, as part of the Steering Group of the European Thematic Group on Equal Opportunities (ETG 4), will be organising a Policy Forum "Gender Equality: a Key to Change" in Madrid, on 9 and 10 June 2005.

The aim of the Policy Forum is to mainstream and transfer the promising practices gathered by ETG 4 during 2003 and 2004. France, Italy and the European Commission are actively involved in the event preparation

Gender discrimination and inequality is a multidimensional problem which requires multifaceted answers. In response to this need, the EQUAL European Thematic Group on Equal Opportunities developed a European Model of Comprehensive Approaches to Gender Equality which is based on good practices collected from EQUAL Development Partnerships throughout Europe.

The model combines strategies to tackle the most persistent barriers to gender equality. EQUAL achievements include new concepts for helping women and men reconcile family, professional and personal life, for dismantling gender gaps on the labour market and for overcoming traditional gender roles and stereotypes. In many cases EQUAL has succeeded in forging territorial coalitions for gender equality and in launching a process of gender mainstreaming.

Promoting partnership and co-operation between key players and stake holders is a distinct feature of EQUAL's architecture. The European Model of Comprehensive Approaches to Gender Equality adds value to this partnership approach and provides decisionmakers at different levels with good practices that can help them use "gender glasses" and integrate a gender dimension into their policies and practices.

EQUAL has shown that territorial alliances linking public authorities that are in charge of employment policies, educational and training institutions, social partner organisations and companies, and also gender equality bodies and NGOs can make gender equality policies an effective key to change.

Articles and analyses can be found on ETG 4 page

Conference Programme:

Conference Policy Briefs:

More and better jobs for women - EQUAL contributes to gender conscious employment policies and practices
Widening career choices for women and men - EQUAL achievements in education and training
Establishing a culture of gender equality in the business world - EQUAL supports employers and social partners to become agents of change
Strengthening gender equality bodies and NGOs - EQUAL creates think-tanks, resource centres and networks

First impressions from the EQUAL Policy Forum "Gender Equality: a Key to Change"

June 2005

For a moment, the 270 conference participants turned the opening session into a sea of waving red fans overprinted with both the conference logo and motto, and created a symbolic image of what the Forum was all about.

Organised by the Spanish Government in close co-operation with the European Commission, this first Policy Forum on gender equality aimed to disseminate and mainstream the comprehensive approaches to equal opportunities for women and men that have been developed during the last three years by hundreds of EQUAL Development Partnerships throughout the EU.

Juan José Barrera, General Director of Social Economy, ESF and Self-Employment at the Spanish Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs opened the event and underlined his country's commitment to equal opportunities for women and men and the relevance of EQUAL good practices in enhancing job creation, productivity and economic growth.

Lenia Samuel, Deputy Director General of the Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities at the European Commission, emphasised the crucial role of comprehensive gender equality policies in mitigating the consequences of the dramatic demographic changes, which the EU is facing. These require both the Commission and Member States to develop a rounded approach. "Today's conference can help us to develop key components of such a rounded approach," she said. "To increase employment rates and to stay competitive in a global market, the European Union must tap into its largest pool of unused potential - WOMEN. The challenge facing us over the next few years is clear. We must encourage a more balanced distribution between men and women of domestic and family responsibilities. We must encourage employers to organise work more flexibly, with staggered working hours, part-time work and tele-working options. We must maximise the economic contribution of women in sectors where they are currently under-represented and create opportunities for gainful employment and career development."

The possible impact of EQUAL good practices on the post-2006 ESF programmes was at the heart of Peter Stub-Jørgensen's key note speech. The Director of the European Social Fund (ESF) stressed the crucial role of the Member States in using and maximising EQUAL's achievements during the funding period 2007 to 2013. "There is nothing in the new regulation proposed by the Commission that stops us from continuing what we are doing today, as regards the leading principles of EQUAL, the type of activity or the co-financing of projects through the use of ESF funding in the future," he said, "It is now up to the Member States to show what they want by proposing how to take it forward." Peter Stub-Jørgensen also presented the results of EQUAL's European Thematic Group on Equal Opportunities (ETG 4) through a multi-media show that gave a taste of the multi-facetted model of gender equality policies and practices. These policies and practices were then explored and discussed in greater detail in the four workshops held during the event.

The workshops brought together key players and stakeholders in employment, educational and training policies, employers and social partners, and also gender equality bodies and NGOs. They enabled a constructive debate to take place between decision-makers and practitioners who had been involved in EQUAL and their peers from outside this ESF-funded Community Initiative. Good practices were demonstrated and strategies were discussed for transferring these practices into regular training and labour market systems or into the personnel policies of public and private enterprises and organisations. The outcomes of these discussions tended to confirm the relevance and validity of EQUAL's comprehensive approaches to gender equality. Such approaches combine concepts for tackling gender gaps in employment, pay, economic sectors and occupations with new solutions to improving the balance between work and private life and also with strategies to overcome traditional gender roles and stereotypes. It was evident that bringing about positive change in the lives of women and men, whilst at the same time enhancing productivity and competitiveness of companies or even local areas and regions, would not have been possible without the EQUAL principles.

A plenary session that took place on the second day of the event underlined the necessity of linking all gender equality policies to concepts that address the eternal problem of traditional gender roles and stereotypes. The presentation of an EQUAL national multi-media campaign in the Netherlands and a talk show with guests from the north and the south of the EU showed that both leading a public debate and triggering discussions between couples can help to attain a more even distribution of unpaid work in people's homes.

During this final plenary session, representatives of three European cities also shared their experiences of generating change in their cities through new approaches to gender equality. Marcel Esteve i Robert, Mayor of Vilafranca del Penedés in Spain, reported on an EQUAL partnership that succeeded in turning undeclared domestic work into regular jobs for women and in channelling its approach into the legislative process of its region. Jocelyne Bougeard, Deputy Mayor of Rennes in France, demonstrated how harmonising the "times of the city", like the opening hours of local authorities, stores and other service providers, childcare facilities and schools and the schedules of public transport systems can help women and men to balance the conflicting pressures in their daily lives. And last but not least, Giuliana Cominetti, Equal Opportunities Councillor of the municipality of Lodi in Italy, explained how a network of local resource centres for gender equality was established thanks to EQUAL. In several cities, these centres are providing information, counselling and advice that make a major difference to the daily reality of those women who are seeking to reconcile work and family life.

In their closing speeches, both Fay Devonic, the Head of the European Commission's Unit on Equality for Women and Men, and Soledad Murillo, Secretary General for Equal Opportunities at the Spanish Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs stressed the persistent inequalities in the labour market and in most spheres of society. They urged political decision-makers at all levels, and also employers, social partners and the key actors representing civil society to reinforce their commitment to gender equality. "Promoting equality between women and men is a question of democracy and human dignity. Real democracy requires parity of women and men in political and economic decision-making," said Fay Devonic, "at the same time, gender equality policies are contributing to increasing employment levels and economic growth." Closing the Policy Forum, Soledad Murillo reminded participants of a simple truth that sometimes tends to be forgotten: "Women are not a minority and should not be treated as such," she said, "Women form the majority of European citizens. We should demand and much more actively pursue our right to an equal share in economic and political power."

The workshops minutes:

Workshop 1: Gender equality, a key to successful employment policies
Workshop 2: Gender equality, a key to effective education and training
Workshop 3: Gender equality, a key to better jobs and productivity
Workshop 4: Gender mainstreaming, moving beyond positive actions

A multimedia show, based on the contributions from several EQUAL DPs, was presented during the plenary session.
An original version (Powerpoint - 180 Mb) of this presentation will be sent on request (empl-equal-info@ec.europa.eu).
An online version (Windows Media Player needed) is accessible in higth and low resolution.

Gender equality show high resolution (19 minutes - 282 kbit/s)
Gender equality show low resolution (19 minutes - 118 kbit/s)

The speech of Lenia Samuel :

The speech of Peter Stub-Jørgensen :

The speech of Fay Devonic :

The speech of Soldedad Murillo :

All the preparatory documents from the conference

Articles and analyses can be found on ETG 4 page

Transnationality boosts gender equality

November 2005

Cross-border cooperation has strengthened EQUAL gender equality Development Partnerships (DPs) and has also improved their capacities for innovation and mainstreaming. This was one of the lessons that emerged from a seminar, held in Brussels on 15th and 16th November 2005. The remit of this Exchange Forum was to explore the impact of transnational work on the promotion of equal opportunities for women and men throughout the European Union.

The meeting brought together 25 DPs that belonged to the first generation of EQUAL projects and have subsequently been selected for the second round. In two working groups focusing on desegregation and reconciliation, they shared their good practices and also compared notes on problems and pitfalls. Following this exchange, they have all agreed to work together in drafting a new chapter of the ETG 4 Living Document on Gender Equality , which will contain detailed information on transnational success stories.

Between them, the 25 DPs have employed many different methods of transnational cooperation. DP representatives reported how they have used exchanges, study visits and the production of needs-tailored information material. Through such cooperation, the staff of the DPs and other members of their national partnerships have acquired detailed knowledge about gender equality legislation and practice in other Member States, and also about education, training, labour market systems and business and working cultures.

An intensive import - export process

It was obvious that there had been a lot of importing and exporting during the first round and that these activities will continue to be an important feature of transnational cooperation over the next couple of years. One such example was the transfer of mentoring schemes for women who were training for, or in the early stages of, a career within male dominated areas such as science, engineering, technology or construction. Schemes developed in the UK were imported by Finland and Germany where they were successfully adapted to these new contexts. "Now, in the second round," said Ros Wall, the project director of the UK DP, "we shall support our transnational partners in the new Member States to pilot those schemes in their own specific environments."

Comprehensive work-life-balance programmes involving employers in creating a combination of family friendly working time arrangements and various kinds of family support services also made their way from Italy to France and Spain. In addition, the concept of time policies developed by a number of French DPs was adopted by partners, particularly in southern countries, who then attempted to harmonise the opening hours of public and private services in their urban, or even rural, areas.

Taking some local employers and trade unionists to study different forms of work organisation in the Netherlands helped a Spanish DP to convince works councils that flexibility could have positive aspects for all concerned. This, in turn, stimulated the production of a guide of good practice in labour relations which will also be used in the second round.

Benefits beyond the boundaries of the DP

In a number of cases, the transfer of EQUAL good practices went beyond the organisations involved in national DPs. Several participants presented examples of how transnational input was impacting on the development of mainstream policies and practices in their countries. The gender mainstreaming concept developed by an Austrian project is in great demand in Spanish regions and these regions then organise training events for key players who are in a position to apply it to employment policies and practices. "Bringing not only the gender experts from our DP to act as trainers at these events, but also mayors or heads of public administrations is making a real difference," explains Heide Cortolezis from Austria. "These top people can share their positive experiences with Spanish peers who then begin to see the advantages. Integrating a gender dimension into local or regional employment policy by, for instance, providing flexible, good quality childcare has clearly helped to improve the delivery of the relevant programmes and thus the access of people with care responsibilities to the labour market." Similar experiences were reported from a Greek project that organised a meeting of mayors with their Italian counterparts. "Even the Swedes who often regard themselves as champions of gender equality discovered things to import from other countries," reported Asa Douhan who manages a DP that seeks to attract women and ethnic minorities to the construction industry. In fact, French construction companies taught Swedish employers about how public employment subsidies could help to increase female recruitment and these employers are now lobbying the government in Stockholm to introduce a similar programme. In Finland, things have already moved further. Study visits of government officials to the UK included meetings with the National Resource Centre on Women in SET (science, engineering and technology) that is building on EQUAL achievements and also opportunities to talk to with key people in the Department for Trade and Industry. Now similar centres are being piloted in two regions in Finland and the EQUAL DP has joined forces with key actors to disseminate and mainstream this model throughout the country. The experience acquired in France on cooperation between childminders who work at home and those in institutional childcare has been successfully transferred to Luxemburg.

A wealth of joint products and tools is available that can help second round EQUAL DPs and their project promoters who are establishing cross-border cooperation in a gender equality context. These products are geared to helping others study and apply EQUAL good practices related to desegregation and reconciliation and provide a sound basis on which further transnational cooperation can be built. The meeting in Brussels started to compile a list containing the best of these transnational products and this list will be updated with even more products from other DPs.

The participants in the Exchange Forum on transnationality had all been members of the European Thematic Group on Equal Opportunities (ETG 4) which, in 2003 and 2004, produced the first chapters of the ETG 4 Living Document on Gender Equality. These chapters were the basis of the European Model of Comprehensive Approaches to Gender Equality and can be found under the heading Background Documents in the ETG 4 pages of the EQUAL website.

ESF seminar on "Integrating Partnership and Gender Equality into ESF Programmes for 2007-2013"

January 2006

Partnership and gender equality will be essential features of the next generation of ESF programmes (2007-2013) and it is essential that these principles are effectively integrated into their new ESF programmes to support their reform agendas. To provide a platform for exchanging ideas, the Commission, in co-operation with Member States' working groups, organised a seminar in Brussels on January 19-20. This enabled more than 80 representatives responsible for the design of the new ESF programmes from Member States, and delegates from Bulgaria and Romania, together with staff from the geographical and EQUAL units of the Commission to share experience and identify issues and solutions.

In her opening speech, Lenia Samuel, Deputy-Director General of DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, stressed the importance of sharing experiences and exchanging good practice in order to get the most out of ESF programmes and projects. She highlighted that partnership and gender equality need to be integrated both as "policy objectives, reflecting essential elements of the European social model", and as "instruments to achieving employment and social policy objectives" as they are "essential features of good governance, and contribute to modernising existing employment policies and adjusting established delivery systems". She explained that "the Commission expects partnership and gender equality approaches to be fully incorporated into the design of new ESF programmes. They must not be seen as 'an optional extra', but become an integral part of all new ESF programmes".

The seminar used an interactive working method with short presentations from Member State representatives to provide an insight into what Member States were currently considering and planning. The presentations were followed by group discussions, focussing on specific questions and issues. The first half of the seminar focussed on the horizontal principle of partnership, the second half on gender equality. For each of these principles reflection notes had been developed by a group of Members State representatives highlighting the benefits of applying the principle, implementation options at programme level, and implementing provisions to ensure effective delivery. These notes provided background for discussions.

The reflection note and the presentations stressed the key role that partnership can play in supporting reforms of labour market policies and delivery systems. Partnership is about integrating stakeholders in the preparation, programming, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects and programmes. EQUAL has shown that structured involvement of key stakeholders will have clear added value and help underpin the strategic capacity at local, regional and national level to deliver the Lisbon targets.

The seminar gave participants a sound insight into Member States' experience of partnership, and their thoughts and plans for embedding it into the new ESF Programmes. Key statements on difficulties in implementing partnership at programme and project level included:

The capacity and resources needed to set up and manage partnership activity
Developing a common understanding amongst partners regarding roles and responsibilities
The need to develop strong day-to-day co-ordination and management
Ensuring an equal voice and sense of ownership for all of the partners

Presentations from Member States gave examples of how to design a partnership approach into their National Strategic Reference Frameworks and Operational Programmes to support the reform process. In working group discussions, Member States identified a range of critical issues that they will need to address to make the partnership approach a success. These included:

Good planning by defining common objectives, agreeing on each partner's role and contribution, setting milestones and defining indicators for results
Ensuring that partnership can be implemented and co-ordinated at different levels - national, regional and local - to involve all relevant stakeholders
Providing training, support and capacity building (financed by projects directly or through technical assistance)
Establishing written contracts and agreements between the partners and ensuring their early involvement in the process

Concerning gender equality, the presentations provided an introduction into the main issues and in particular, how to use gender mainstreaming as a tool to achieve gender equality in the ESF.

As regards implementation, participants identified some of the main difficulties and obstacles that have to be overcome to ensure that gender equality is effectively integrated into the programmes:

Lack of political will;
Lack of expertise to apply the tool of gender mainstreaming which is perceived as too complicated;
Overall persistence of gender stereotypes;

Proposed solutions emerging from the group work reflected issues raised by Member States in their presentations on a way forward:

Sensitising top decision-makers;
Providing training for those in charge of drawing up the National Strategic Reference Frameworks and Operational Programmes;
Ensuring that "programme designers" have access to gender experts and/or people with expertise in the process of writing and implementing the Operational Programmes;
Gender equality as a "standing topic" in all Monitoring Committee meetings.

Together, the working groups also drew up a priority list of resources and coordination needs they wish to address in the future. These included:

Support to increase understanding and know-how of gender mainstreaming to enable the "translation" of this abstract concept into reality, i.e. dossiers of good practices, guides, awareness raising events and campaigns;
Provision of clear objectives and guidelines and the development of indicators;
Raising the visibility of gender mainstreaming as a strategy that generates win-win-situations in terms of economic development, job creation, innovation potential, productivity, ... to counteract its perception as a threat that increases the administrative burden.

For both principles, seminar participants reviewed the two models for integrating them into an ESF programme: a dedicated priority, or a cross-cutting requirement in all priority axes. There was no clear pattern of preferences for the two models, which perhaps suggested a bias in favour of a third option - a combination of the two.

It was clear that some groups were largely in favour of the Commission taking a leading role in facilitating partnership and gender equality, while others made clear that Member States should set the guidelines and establish the priorities for action while the Commission's role would be to provide complementary support.

In his closing address, Peter Stub Jørgensen, Director for National Employment and Social Inclusion, Monitoring and ESF Operations of DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, stressed the relevance of these principles, and the need to provide for, and develop sound capacities to manage partnership and gender equality operations. He also made clear that "the new regulations will give Member States more flexibility to manage the funds and meet their specific needs. In principle, there will no rules from Brussels beyond what is in the Regulations.

However, the Commission will continue to facilitate the exchange of good practice, experience and potential solutions to help you develop and implement your programmes. The Commission is prepared to respond to requests from Member States to continue with these types of learning platforms if there is a demand to do so."

Throughout the seminar, and in their evaluation sheets, participants expressed the need for more events and exchanges of this kind - particularly at programme rather than project level. This was particularly important for New Member States.

Spain presents its national mainstreaming plan and launches Action 3

April 2006

On February 27th, Spain ESF Unit held a nationwide Conference in Madrid to present its new Mainstreaming Plan for the second round of EQUAL. More than 350 people attended the event, including one representative of each DP, policy-makers, representatives of all regional governments, other relevant public institutions at national and local level, third sector organisations, and mass media.

Mr. Juan José Barrera, General Director of Social Economy, Self-Employment and ESF in Spain, welcomed the participants and stated the interest of the Ministry of Labour in getting the most out of EQUAL in terms of policy development. Mr. Barrera asked the participants to do their best to mainstream the good practices of EQUAL and seize the opportunity to influence in the new programming period 2007-2013.Bearing this task in mind, Mr. Carlos Tortuero, ESF Director in Spain, presented the core elements of the National Mainstreaming Plan approved by the National Monitoring Committee on December 16th 2005.

"It is of the greatest importance to involve key actors and policy makers from the planning phase and throughout implementation and maintaining a continuous feedback between Equal and relevant decision makers to ensure the pull and push dimension is adequately achieved" said Mr. Tortuero. He explained the general process for the adequate mainstreaming: Equal projects produce innovative practices taking into account policy gaps or shortcomings. Those practices are them duly disseminated among decision makers so that they become integrated into employment and human resources policies.

The new Mainstreaming Plan

The new Mainstreaming Plan sets ambitious objectives and quantitative targets. Such objectives and targets are as follows:

Horizontal mainstreaming: to ensure DP members adopt the solutions successfully tried out in Equal so that they are maintained once the project is over. For this purpose, each DP should prove the effective transfer of at least one of their innovations to any of its members.

Enlarged horizontal mainstreaming: to mainstream the DPs' successful methods into the practices and policies of other organisations not included in the DP but working on the same decision or operational level. To accomplish this aim, every DP should undertake at least one action for the horizontal transfer of its solutions to other organisations and a minimum of 50% of the DPs should achieve such goal either through their own mainstreaming plans or through an Action 3 project.

Vertical mainstreaming: to transfer EQUAL best practices into regional, national or European policies, including Operational Programmes, sectorial plans, collective agreements, etc. The target is that at least 25% of DPs implement an Action 3 project aimed to vertical mainstreaming. Also, each member of the Monitoring Committee that decides to establish a thematic network within Action 3 should prove the mainstreaming of at least one Equal practice into their own policies

To meet these challenges, appropriate emphasis to mainstreaming must be given in each and every phase of the Equal implementation:

During the project selection phase, by selecting those projects with the best mainstreaming potential both in terms of DP composition and innovation needed by policy.

During the creation and consolidation of Development Partnerships

By improving the mainstreaming capacity of each project through the adjustment and improvement of their work-plan and by requiring each of them to establish a detailed "Mainstreaming Plan" within their context.
By having DPs nominate a person responsible for the implementation of the mainstreaming actions provided for in the project.
By obtaining from the relevant public bodies which are part of the DP the formal commitment to try and incorporate to their policies those best practices successfully tried out by them.

During the implementation phase:

Through the monitoring of the compliance with each DPs' own mainstreaming plan by the Managing Authority.
Through the assistance to each DP mainstreaming process by the Support Structure.
By promoting dissemination activities of DPs.
Ensuring relevant innovations, lessons and good practices are disseminated and mainstreamed through the work of national thematic groups involving key actors and policy makers.
Funding under Action 3 projects of dissemination and mainstreaming of those good practices which are most interesting for policy development.

The stakeholders of the EQUAL mainstreaming strategy include the Managing Authority, the policymakers represented in the Monitoring Committee, the National Mainstreaming Group, the 4 National Thematic Groups (employability, entrepreneurship, adaptability and Equal opportunities) and other relevant decision-makers. All of them are backed by the National Support Structure.

As regards Action 3, the most noticeable change introduced in the new Plan is that, in addition to DPs, Monitoring Committee members may submit proposals for mainstreaming activities.

The European dimension of mainstreaming and thematic work was described by Mr. Ramón Puig de la Bellacasa from the Equal Unit of DG Employment. Mr. Puig said that the EU Commission is strongly committed to the support of thematic and mainstreaming activities. This is being done through the promotion of learning platforms, exchanges, events, peer reviews, policy fora and communities of practices and through the publication of a European wide Newsletter. Also, European thematic experts will be working with State Members' networks to identify and disseminate success stories. The different mainstreaming strategies are available at: http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/equal/mainstreaming/index_en.cfm

The presentations were followed by a very lively debate between the public and the speakers.

Finally, two successful examples of Action 3 projects in Equal 1st round gave the audience the opportunity to see how mainstreaming works in practice.

The DP Nexos was able to transfer its model of immigrant families integration to national authorities such as the Ministry of Labour (DG Family and DG Immigrant Policies and Women's Institute), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (International Cooperation Agency), and to regional and local legislation related to employment.
http://www.cepaim.org/ad_nexos/web/inicio.htm

The IO Metal project was invited to a hearing before the Committee of Equal Opportunities of the Spanish Parliament where they explained the outcomes of their activities and recommended several legal provisions based on the DP successful experiences.
http://www.femeval.es/equal

All presentations of the event can be downloaded at:
http://www.mtas.es/uafse/equal/documentacion.htm

Spain presents its national mainstreaming plan and launches Action 3

April 2006

The new Mainstreaming Plan

The new Mainstreaming Plan sets ambitious objectives and quantitative targets. Such objectives and targets are as follows:

To meet these challenges, appropriate emphasis to mainstreaming must be given in each and every phase of the Equal implementation:

During the project selection phase, by selecting those projects with the best mainstreaming potential both in terms of DP composition and innovation needed by policy.

During the creation and consolidation of Development Partnerships

By improving the mainstreaming capacity of each project through the adjustment and improvement of their work-plan and by requiring each of them to establish a detailed "Mainstreaming Plan" within their context.
By having DPs nominate a person responsible for the implementation of the mainstreaming actions provided for in the project.
By obtaining from the relevant public bodies which are part of the DP the formal commitment to try and incorporate to their policies those best practices successfully tried out by them.

During the implementation phase:

Through the monitoring of the compliance with each DPs' own mainstreaming plan by the Managing Authority.
Through the assistance to each DP mainstreaming process by the Support Structure.
By promoting dissemination activities of DPs.
Ensuring relevant innovations, lessons and good practices are disseminated and mainstreamed through the work of national thematic groups involving key actors and policy makers.
Funding under Action 3 projects of dissemination and mainstreaming of those good practices which are most interesting for policy development.

As regards Action 3, the most noticeable change introduced in the new Plan is that, in addition to DPs, Monitoring Committee members may submit proposals for mainstreaming activities.

The presentations were followed by a very lively debate between the public and the speakers.

Finally, two successful examples of Action 3 projects in Equal 1st round gave the audience the opportunity to see how mainstreaming works in practice.

All presentations of the event can be downloaded at:
http://www.mtas.es/uafse/equal/documentacion.htm

GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN THE EURO-MEDITERRANEAN

Gender equality and women’s participation have been evolving phenomena from the last century worldwide. The number of women entering into political, economical or social arena is increasing in every country of each continent. Women have demonstrated that by standing for what they think is just and right, they are able to make a difference and make the world the way it is shaped today.

Much of the contribution of women is unrecorded or unnoticed. However, women contribute in numerous ways through organizations, movements, associations and groups of different nature ensuring that their voice is heard. As a feminist scholar and historian, Mary R. Beard wrote: “ …the person abilities, interest, ideas and activities of women must receive an attention commensurate with their energy in history. Women have done far more than exist and bear and rear children. They have played a great role in directing human events as thought and action. Women have been a force in making all the history that has been made”[1]

Women in the Euro-Med show an exciting and diverse picture which reflects the diversity of the region, too. They represent women in groups and associations of diverse interest and aspirations to make their environment a better place. They contribute to the welfare of women in politics, social and economic fields. They organize themselves in governmental and non-governmental organizations, intellectual associations, or through movements (such as for economic projects or peace building). They are becoming members of local, national and international organizations. Professional pursuit is no longer solely for economic reasons but to prove the efficient and invaluable contribution women are capable of making. The millions of women in the Euro-Med have embarked on the journey and have become part of a growing global network of successful projects and initiatives. Women of the Euro-Med face similar challenges to those in other parts of the world: being a woman. Fundamental questions of womanhood and participation have not changed and continue to be questioned. Their opportunities are as limited or broadened as in other countries. Their realities are similar yet in many cases specific to the socio-political context of the Euro-Med. They face different opportunities yet struggle for the same aim: to make women’s participation nothing unique but rather an equal footing to those of men.

Gender Equality-Realities and perceptions

Essential questions in gender equality in the Euro-Med context are:

Is gender equality a struggle for liberation of women from the oppression of men?
Is it a struggle against the “opposite sex”?
Are women’ rights universal or they are based on cultural and religious interpretations?
Should the laws and regulations be challenged or a mentality change is needed to happen in the societies of Europe and the Mediterranean countries?

The trends and ongoing debates in gender studies, on gender equality and women’s rights in the Euro-Med show a diverse picture. This diversity is manifested not only in the differences between approaches to gender equality in Europe and the Mediterranean world (much of which is Arab speaking -apart from Turkey and Israel -and is under religious laws) but also, and equally importantly, the diversity of approaches and opinions within the two regions.

Gender equality in the Euro-Med has been a challenging phenomenon. (Gender issues in the Euro-Med were first specifically mentioned at the Euro-Med Partnership Summit in 2001). Europe is often called the champion of rights and opportunities. This is manifested in the number of organizations and individuals who are actively involved in work to promote a better understanding of women’s roles and create a more positive image of femininity in European countries. As it is often acknowledged, most societies in the Mediterranean countries have patriarchal roots of governance and that is manifested in the countries’ records of exclusion of women from social and political processes. This patriarchal system has been constantly challenged by many groups (both at religious and non-religious level). In the Mediterranean world the gender roles have turned into gender stereotypes and it led to false interpretations of the role of men and women in the family as well as in the society. Moreover, these stereotypes have been constantly questioned by European (Western) ideologies of equality. The gradual integration of gender equality into the mainstream in the Mediterranean is slow and varies from country to country. The two regions seem to have a different image and approach to gender (in)equality, although they strive for the very same aim- make women’s realities understood.

Key concepts and approaches:

Gender is the term to express certain roles of men and women that are given to them on the basis of biological sex. It determines a person’s behavior, but -unlike biological sexes- it not at all an exclusive or static term. Gender equality is the manifestation of the involvement of both men and women at all sphere of the society. It refers to public as well as the private sphere where the roles determined by the biological sex manifest themselves. Gender equality is about men and women being visible in all spheres of public, political, social and economic life.

The following tables compare the gender gap in the Euro-Mediterranean region[2]. The survey looks at five main criteria to address gender equality: equal pay and access to jobs, representation of women in decision-making structures, equal access to education and access to reproductive healthcare.

BOTTOM 10 STATES FOR GENDER EQUALITY

49: Venezuela

50: Greece

51: Brazil

52: Mexico

53: India

54: South Korea

55: Jordan

56: Pakistan

57: Turkey

58: Egypt

[Source: World Economic Forum Gender Gap Index]

TOP 10 STATES FOR GENDER EQUALITY

1: Sweden

2: Norway

3: Iceland

4: Denmark

5: Finland

6: New Zealand

7: Canada

8: United Kingdom

9: Germany

10: Australia Source: World Economic Forum Gender Gap Index] [3]

When gender equality is not established or practiced in a society, the imbalance of women and men can lead to discrimination, which is named as sexual discrimination. It is based on the notion of women not being respected or equally treated as men at workplace or in private enterprises.

Women all around the world face violence-be it in war stricken areas or under disrespectful regimes or governance. Gender based violence is a form of violence that targets women. One form of it is domestic violence that is carried out on women by husband/ male partner or a cohabitant.

Feminism is a very diverse field, therefore difficult to define. The most general yet comprehensive approach to grasp the essence of it can be found in the following definition: “Present-day feminism is a struggle for the achievement of women’s equality, dignity and freedom of choice to control our lives and bodies within and outside the home”[4].

“Feminism is an idea where women stand for dignity, honor ...despite their ethnic or national or other differences” (Margot Badran)[5]

Origins of feminism

The term “feminism” was coined in the 1880’s by Hubertine Auclert. There were famous promoters of women’s rights and education before ( Mary Wollstonecraft or Marquis de Condorcet) but the first time women’s movements were called feminist happened a few decades later. By the beginning of the 20^th century feminism (originally a French word and ideology) entered into the English language. In the Mediterranean (mainly in Egypt) it was well used after the beginning of the century. In history feminism developed from fighting for legal reforms and claiming rights in education, employment and political participation for women to ensuring that discrimination against women is eliminated in all areas of life.

Different forms of feminism

There are numerous types of feminism. There are four types which are often regarded as the most fundamental ones:

Social feminism tackles issues related to social deprivation and fights for social rights of women. It also addresses the tension that has been created by social classes and structures. Their main argument is that women in the West are not valued as they do not produce tangible products for the society (as being at home is not regarded as valuable work)

Radical feminism challenges the roots of governance, promotes that change of legislation is not enough to bring about a change for more balanced society. It also expresses that men and women should be free from any form of stereotypes that society might have imposed on them. Radical feminists are often perceived as fundamental challengers of the basics of the societal structure.

Religious feminism is a form of feminism that stands for a religious interpretation of women and their roles in the society as well as in the family. Their interpretation of holy books is based on predispositions about women’s fundamental roles as mothers, wives and caretakers of the children and maintainers of a successful family environment. They challenge these roles and some are more radical than others[6]

Liberal feminism is, in essence, a voice of women who want to become (or think they should be) like men. They are also considered to be those who use legislation only to challenge existing inequalities in the society.

“Feminism is terrific for single women but failed completely to deal with motherhood” ( H Raouf Ezzat)[7] - Do you agree?

Characteristics of feminism in the Euro-Med

Similarities

In both the Mediterranean and the West feminism has been an evolving process rather than a new, abrupt phenomenon without grounding. It has developed out of a social manifestation of exclusion, segregation and oppression of rights for women.

They both legitimately challenge male authority and claim and reclaim women’s well deserved place at all level of the society.

Feminism in both regions tends to be in favor of education and certain rights to participate but often disregards the vital issue: the root of discrimination of men and women on the sole basis of gender differences.

In both context women have double responsibilities. They are expected to take on domestic roles as well as shoulder jobs with men.

In both regions we have witnessed the development and flourishing of women’s studies and taking women’s issues into the mainstream. It is a slow, step by step process but certainly raises awareness in societies.

Differences

Europe has somehow managed to take the issues of gender inequality into the mainstream (although it still needs to be further improved). This step is yet to happen in the Mediterranean where gender issues and feminism are still an unknown territory for many male (and female!).

One of major differences is related to religious feminism in both areas. It stands on much stronger grounds in the Med countries, although there are traces of it in Europe, too. As religion plays a very important role in the Mediterranean, women often find themselves in the midst of religious debates, defending their positions rather than simply seen as feminists.

The concepts mentioned above tie basic ideologies and perception together. In youth work they have become yardsticks and measures that need to be looked at. As all concepts are taught at schools and slowly are entering into mainstream discussions. We need to address them adequately. All of these concepts challenge the society whether in Europe or the Mediterranean in one way or another and young people are finding new and creative ways to answer them.

Further reading:

Gole, Nilufer (1996). The Forbidden Modern

Available at: http://weekly.ahram.org/eg/2002/569/cu1/htm

Websites:

http://www.mincom.gov.ma/english/generalities/mwoman/rights.htm

http://www.helsinki.fi/science/xantippa/wee/weetext/wee234.html

http://www.cddc.vt.edu/feminism/egy.html

The characteristics of Euro-Med in relation to gender issues

The commonalities and differences fall into four broad categories:

Differences in legal provisions for women
The realities of political participation
Provisions for women in social and economic fields
Women’s involvement with NGOs

1. One of the major differences between Europe and the Mediterranean is legally based. The idea of Western law being essentially different from religious laws is based upon the assumption that it came through revelation; therefore human beings have no personal choice and freedom in having agreements or disagreements about it. (for further references see Religion section) Most part of the Mediterranean region has religious laws (more specifically Islamic and Jewish laws ) while Europe is based on secular law systems which at times consider Christian roots and traditions. From a legal point of view the issues related to women’s human rights that seem irresolvable are as follows:

Personal matters

Sexual rights (family planning, adultery and fornication, adoption)

Witnessing

Marriage (forced and early marriages, polygamy)

Divorce

Custody of children

Female Genital Mutilation

Honor killing

Public matters

Leadership of women in a Muslim /religious society

Non-Muslim/Jewish minorities living under Muslim laws

Views on lesbians/ homosexuality

Economic matters

Inheritance

Property ownership

Maintenance

2. Women in Parliament

Comparing women’s political representation in Europe and the Mediterranean shows an interesting picture. In the following table the figures refer to Arab states in general, and Europe with the OSCE countries, therefore reference can made only in comparative terms. [8]

	Single House or lower House	Upper House or Senate	Both Houses combined
Nordic countries	39.9%	---	39.9%
Europe - OSCE member countries including Nordic countries	18.9%	16.9%	18.5%
Americas	18.8%	19.5%	18.9%
Europe - OSCE member countries excluding Nordic countries	16.9%	16.9%	16.9%
Asia	15.2%	13.5%	15.1%
Sub-Saharan Africa	15.0%	14.2%	14.9%
Pacific	11.2%	26.5%	13.3%
Arab States	8.8%	5.6%	8.1%
Regions are classified by descending order of the percentage of women in the lower or single House

3. Social and economic provisions for women

Many countries amongst the Mediterranean countries are still considered to lack basic provisions for women in both social and economic terms (many of them who do not have basic education and live under international poverty standards). This has a great impact especially on young people many of whom choose to leave their countries for better prospects in Europe. They opt for a socially and economically more stable environment. However, the Mediterranean region has undergone a great deal of development by introducing educational and social initiatives and run their projects aiming at women without basics provisions.

4. Women’s involvement with NGOs

NGOs are perhaps one of the most prominent examples of women’s participation and involvement in political, social and economical initiatives. A healthy civil society would welcome the flourishing of NGOs and support initiatives that enhance women’s participation in all spheres of life. Both Europe and Mediterranean have their own ways of developing the work of NGOs. Their different ways of developing a civil society based on different traditions challenge the way youth work should be managed and carried out. Europe has supported the development of NGOs for a long period of time as opposed to the Mediterranean, where the idea of civil society emerged much later ( in some countries it happened as a result of colonialism, or in Turkey it consisted of a different nature)[9]. Youth organizations need to understand that fundamental difference and it is reflected in the way youth organizations function.

Women in the Mediterranean were yet to fight to battle for public appearance until the 19^th century and took part in many different ways, although not necessarily seen in public. That slowed down their process of getting involved in larger scale.

General points for reflection:

For the majority of the European promoters of gender equality it is about legislating and putting women’s rights at a practical level. It is focused on the actual application of rules and regulations which run parallel with a rather practical process of women themselves setting up their networks and organizations. The Mediterranean countries have a slightly different approach to gender equality due to the different socio-historical and socio-economic development. There are certain elements of laws and regulations in place (some partly modeled by European laws). However, practice shows that violations are often justified by referring to culture and traditions. In both regions, regardless of the differences in gender debates women are subjects of widespread form of prejudice, racism and discrimination including Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. In general, the main sources of discrimination of women in the Mediterranean can be traced back to:

dependency and restriction based on traditions and customs
conservative interpretation of religious laws
provisions in secular law reinforcing women’s low social status and inequality
the combination of being born into religious family and being secular at the same time , which discriminates women in religious communities

How can we define the sources of discrimination of women in the Euro-Med? What can we learn from that comparison?

· Gender equality and gender studies ultimately evoke the redefinition of male-female relationships, motherhood, femininity and fatherhood. The development of gender theories is relation to the Mediterranean does not necessarily reflect whether there is a difference between men and women ( biological, social and emotional) but takes into account the nature of the differences. Gender studies in Europe often refer to biological and cultural differences. The Mediterranean further elaborates the nature of the differences as well as refers to class, religious and historical differences. What makes the two regions different is that after the redefinition process family still remains a fundamentally important unit of the society in the Mediterranean (but not necessarily in Europe). Therefore, the patriarchal roots are still strong and visible in most Mediterranean countries.

“Women in Europe experienced industrial revolution; women in the Mediterranean went through colonialism”[10]. Industrial revolution by nature being primarily an economic factor brought women into the arena to struggle for equal rights, while colonialism taught the valuable lessons of co-dependency on a foreign ( often perceived as interfering ) culture. Therefore, women in both regions have different experiences of equality, although both challenged their essential values of being a woman. In today’s youth culture this is reflected in forms of initiatives that rebel both against the cultural oppression of the society as well as the overwhelming power of Western culture. Both the Mediterranean and European countries went through intensive modernization process in the late 19^th century. However, in the former this modernization coincided with the time when women‘s issues were tackled as a result of colonial influences. Therefore, the difference in the two regions socio-political set up must be acknowledged and taken into consideration in many areas, including youth work.

The question of religion and its role cannot be ignored in gender debates in relation to the Mediterranean and Europe (for further references about religions please refer to Religion section). While Europe stands on secular grounds (although acknowledging Christian roots), religion is a dominant factor of the Mediterranean. This has given rise to many religiously rooted groups (youth and others,. The question of religions in the gender debates is important for many reasons. One of them is that “How does religion affect the way women represent themselves in the family or in society?”. Perception of women is often such that:

- they often fall into the stereotype of sexual roles

- they are represented as underclass citizens

- they are the property of their husbands

- enslaved to their mother-in law

- they are facilitators of men’s activities providing the harmonious home

- The general stereotype of women of religion is that the are submissive, docile, decorous, retiring, modest, patient, “utterly devoted to the family”

(Barbara Myerhoff), with no ambitions on their own.

Secularism in the region also plays crucial role in gender equality debates. It is often coupled with the motion of abandoning religions and considering only those elements of law important that can be found in both Western and in religious laws. Women’s reforms (secular) in the Med first addressed the welfare system looking for solutions to economic inequalities. This struggle for liberation led to gaining access in the public sphere. Therefore, secularism has been a viable tool to modernization and promotion of women’s rights.

Further reading:

Abu-Lughod, L. (1986), Veiled Sentiments: Honor and poetry in a Bedouin society, Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

C Baum, “What made Yetta Work: The economic role of Eastern European Jewish women in the family”, Response: A Contemporary Jewish Review, Vol 8. No. 18 ( 1973) pp.32-8.

Websites:

http://www.merip.org/mer/mer205/simona.htm

http://www.euromedrights.net/english/Download/women_final_en.pdf

Legal provision for gender equality in the Euro-Med

Keywords:

Shari’ah= religious law of Muslims

Fiqh= Islamic Jurisprudence

Halacha= religious law of Jews

Beit din= religious courts of Jews

Supporting documents on gender equality in the Euro-Med:

UN Charter

Universal declaration of Human Rights ( UNDHR, 10 December 1948) ICCPR (International Convention on Civil and Political Rights)

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1981)
Universal Declaration of Islamic Human Rights (UDIHR, 19 Sept 1981)

Amsterdam Treaty (1998)- Articles 2, 3 (2), 13, 137 (1) , 141

UNIFEM ( 1976)

Comparing the Med region to Europe in terms of law and legal provisions is very complex. It entails legal systems as well as legal and cultural –social practices. Europe is often regarded as the region of more developed legal systems and practices. However, the Mediterranean countries bring a fusion of European and Arab, Asian (in case of Turkey) laws into the picture. They have a different way of developing their legal system which is often tainted by cultural practices that are not necessarily understood (therefore regarded as incompatible) with European standards. It is obvious that this field is one of the most complex one to understand the complexities of the Euro-Med.

For a comprehensive table see: Annex

The CEDAW international document is a very important yardstick in legal provisions for women in the area. [11]. Very many - both European and Mediterranean countries- have signed, ratified (with or without reservations) the document that prohibits the discrimination of women.
Beijing Platform for Action (1995)- 189 countries accepted the promotion of gender equality in twelve common areas ( poverty, education, violence against women, health, armed conflict, economy, decision making, institutional mechanism, human rights, media environment and young girls).
A few countries of the Mediterranean including Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Libya, and Egypt inherited its legal system from the Ottoman Empire. This system consists of elements of the Ottoman Law of Family Rights (OLFR) although extensively revised and modernized. This has a great impact on the development of legal instruments and their implementation.
Turkey is a very interesting example of the fusion of the Eastern and Western ideologies. Turkey attempted to move the state towards a secular Muslim state with great affinity. Equality between women and men started in 1857. In the 20^th century Mustafa Kamal Ataturk introduced new reforms for greater freedom and opportunities from women in the society. However, this meant to challenge Islam and reforms were made for a secular Turkey to be established.. The Civil Code of 1926 of Turkey was the fist secular code regulating family relations in the whole Muslim world modeled by the Swiss Code. This was amended in 2001 and the new code removed the clause that defines men as head of the household. In Turkey within the family women are traditionally considered to be secondary to men while in the public sphere they are expected to take responsible jobs just as men. This situation poses many interesting arguments.
The Palestinian territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip uses several laws and legislations. Some of them are from the Jordanian system ( such as Jordanian Law of Personal Status 1976 (West Bank , Jordanian Law of Shari`a Court Procedure no.31 1959 (West Bank). Law of Family Rights 1954 (Gaza Strip), Law of Shari`a Court Procedure no.12.1965 (Gaza Strip). The women of Palestine suffer a double victimization: they suffer directly the pains of Israeli occupation and arbitrary measures and they endure the setbacks of living in a traditional and conservative society that still considers them second-class citizens.
Israel’s legal system was modeled by the British legal system but incorporated the OLFR 1917. There are regulations for religious courts ( beit din and Shari’ah courts). Women’s Equal Rights Law enacted in 1951.
In Morocco the new reforms of Civil Status Code ( Moudawana) was announced in October 2003. It is a mixture of Islamic law and local customary law.
Europe has recently moved into an area of questioning and challenging religious practices and has started its battle with religious symbols (that includes Christian cross or Muslim’s women’s headscarf). Many countries ( including France, Germany, Holland ) have made a stand on banning the wearing of religious symbols in public institutions ( such as universities, banks and other public places) which stirred much debate.

For further research:

http://www.law.emory.edu/IFL/legal

http://www.helsinki.fi/science/xantippa/wle/wle13.html

http://pers-www.wlv.ac.uk/~le1810/wome.htm

http://www.helsinki.fi/science/xantippa/wee/wee23.html

On Gender Equality : http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/equ_opp/index_en.htm

Gender equality in the media

“The media are part of our cultural and symbolic order and our system of representation. They reflect us as the social output of culture. They transmit and reproduce both the values of the culture and the alienation mechanisms that underlie it. If we want to change the situation of women and men we have to consider how to break this chain of alienation. We need to establish new underpinnings for scientific research about women and new multidisciplinary analytical tools which correspond to cultural realities.” [12]

Literature about the representation of women in the media can be broadly categorized into two main groups.

Some claim that the image of women in the media unambiguously reflects the patriarchal society and its set up. This process is irreversible and unavoidable in today’s world of men. The representation of women is stipulated by men.
Yet some others clearly claim that women bring their own interest into the media in order to gain power and success, to be it position, to have fame or simply being acknowledged. They deem that representation of women lies in the hands of women themselves.

Women in the media are …

…who act in the media?

…who occupy high positions in the media?

…who make decisions in the media?

…who interpret media products?

Media indeed has an indispensable role to play to promote women’s rights if used in the right way. Media is not only a tool to create and alter an image of women but a place where these images are decided.

In the early and mid 70’s gender studies have become concerned about women’s representation in the media. Film makers started to look at women from the perspective of being defined as object produced by masculine culture and patriarchy rather than being subjects as women in their own rights. This led them to look at the historical and sociological perspective with regards to women and allowed them to define femininity in a new way. Later on, in the 80’s it changed into a search for possibilities to portray women in films being engendered as subjects.

Both in the West and Mediterranean the image of women have been abused and misused for rather dubious purposes. The beauty of a woman is the topic of Arab songs; the idea of temptation lingers. Women are being portrayed as temptresses, lovers and source of sexuality. Representation of women who are housewives and work at the same time tends to suggest that their life is not managed well; she has to compromise her family to be able to occupy higher position.

Images of women in todays’ media:

Sex and violence
Unhealthy body images
Sinful
Perfect bodies
Highly sexualized figures
Unrealistic female sexuality
Extreme cover up ( women of faith)

Why is the image of a woman’s body so prevalent in our society? And why is it so taboo in another?

“Representations are interpretations” (Angela Mc Robbie)

Media stereotyping is perhaps one of the most prevalent problems. Women are being defined by their outer (often accentuated) qualities rather than for their set of values they stand for and positive attributes they possess. The ideal women in the Arab world tend to be portrayed as housewives whose main (and unfortunately only) interest is in running the household. Both images are free from critical analysis and independent thinking about women.

Many countries in the Arab world have powerful media/film culture. However, in the Arab region (mainly in the Middle East) there is a growing demand for female broadcasters who are well versed and well spoken at the same time. This puts even more pressure on women. They have to fight for their individual progress as well as conform to the requirements of the Arab media. Arab media has made significant changes in terms of ambitions for global power. It targets the world sphere as a major field of work rather than solely representing Arab interests.

How to improve media coverage of women…what do you think?

There should be no special magazine/newspaper made for exclusive images of women?
There has to be a consistent national and local coverage?
There has to be coverage of women of all types (age, race and faith)?
There has to be coverage of women being positively taking action?
There has to be coverage of women of success?
Women are individuals, not “someone’s someone”?
There has to be focus on the real woman rather than on her appearance?

Further reading:

Fatema Mernissi, The Satellite, The Prince and Scheherezade: The rise of Women as Communicators in Digital Islam available at http://www.tbsjournal.com/mernissi.htm

www.cmfmena.org/publicaitons/womens_rights.rtf

http://www.mediawatch.ca

http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/031029/2003102925.html

best and worst images of women: http://www.mediawatch.ca/imagegallery.html

Challenges of gender equality in the Euro-Med

A few facts and figures

Available at: www.kamilat.org

Everyday, 6000 girls are genitally mutilated in the world
75% of the refugees and internally displaced in the world are women who have lost their families and their homes.
In the former Yugoslavia, 20,000 women and girls (reported) were raped during the first months of the war.
90% of the rural female labor force are called "housewives" and excluded from the formal definition of economic activity.
In both developed and developing countries, women work 35 hours more than men every week.
Women produce 80% of the food on the planet, but receive less than 10% of agricultural assistance.
70% of the world's illiterates are female.
Two-thirds of the children who receive less than four years of education are girls.
For every year beyond fourth grade that girls attend to school, family size drops 20%, child deaths drop 10%, and wages rise 20%; yet, the international aid dedicated to education is declining.
Nowhere in the world where women's wages are equal to those of men.
Out of more than 180 countries, only five are currently headed by women.
6% of the world's total cabinet ministers are women.
Only 11% of members of national parliaments are women. In UN agencies, only 11% of senior officials are women.

Also note that

70% of the 36 million Europeans living in poverty are women. They make up 55% of the long-term unemployed, 90% of single parents, who live in still greater deprivation, 80% of part-time workers, mostly employed in flexible and insecure jobs not eligible for employment protection and social benefits.[13]

“Liberation is having the opportunity to do your own thing. Marriage enabled me to do it more confidently, more successfully” (Mary Stott)

Europe has a long history of women being excluded from the public. A well-known ideology of the 19^th century articulated that women’s place is at home and their main duty and responsibility is the bearing of the children. Many girls were educated solely for the purpose of becoming better wives and mothers. Therefore, this idea of education limited to specific roles significantly reduced women’s interest in public affairs. In contrast, the feminist movements not only changed the situation and perception of women but also (perhaps unknowingly) challenged the fundamental roles and social set up in any society.

Equality and family in the Euro-Med poses interesting arguments. There is a need to look at ways to improve the opposition to women who choose to remain in their homes and consider family as the career ( in Europe) as well as to those who decide to pursue a carrier as politicians or in the media ( in the Mediterranean) . Both cases can be a source of conflict in their specific contexts. What is equal to one person may not be equality for another. Women often learn this lesson through the hard way simply because they lack the appropriate social structure, network and support. Social roles and a set of duties and responsibilities tend to be two different domains in the Mediterranean, whereas in the European context they are becoming part of one another.

The basic institution of a Muslim society is the family. It is similarly reflected in Judaism and Christianity. The West often looks at the family structure as backward and oppressive as much as an obstacle to modernity. Family and marriage is based on the notion of a balance created in the universe by God. This balance has to be reflected in the households and manifested in the way members of the household share their responsibilities and duties. The mutual respect and relationship between the family members is the first step towards a responsible participation in the society. Therefore, to ensure that the family members learn the basics of their religion (and its social, economical and spiritual aspects) one third of the legal injunctions in the Qur’an are about regulating family matters.

For reflection:

Polygamy in France? ( around 140,000 people live in polygamous marriages)
In Albania women are often the main breadwinners of the family
Women are taken to court for terminating pregnancy illegally on a daily basis in Portugal
Abortion issue divides countries with religious interest ( Central Europe such as Poland, Hungary)
Up to 20,000 foreign women - the majority from the former Soviet Bloc - are working as sex slaves in a billion-dollar industry, which services more than one million men across the country in Greece
Single women lose IVF (in vitro fertilization) rights in Slovenia? They are not given the option to be fertilized through artificial treatment, therefore deprived of their rights to have children.
The pay gap (unequal payment for the same job done by men or women) between the genders in Britain is the worst in Europe. Women earn much less for the same work done than men.

The EU's fertility rate fell to 1.48 children per woman in 2003, below the 2.1 level needed to replace the population because of Inflexible working hours and financial and career aspirations many women are putting off having a family until they are in their late 30s and early 40s[14]

The UN estimates 5,000 women are killed in the name of honor each year, mainly in the Middle East and Asia
Profits for prostitution are: Industrialized countries: $67,200, Middle East: $45,000 and in transition countries: $23,500[15]
The number of young people leaving their countries for the US or Europe as better career prospects is increasing

Further reading:

http://www.hrw.org/wr2k5/wr2005.pdf

http://www.tunisiaonline.com/women/women2.html

http://eir.library.utoronto.ca/whrr/index.cfm?sister=utl&CFID=8551681&CFTOKEN=56848987

http://www.coe.int/T/E/Human%5FRights/Equality

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/correspondent/europe/1247521.stm

Examples of good practice

At what capacity	Example	What does it do?
NGO International	The European Women's Lobby	It aims to work towards “Mobilizing Young Women for Equality in Europe". It targets young women to be inspired to enter to public sphere at local, national and European level. The tackled many areas inducing health, education, politics…etc. A comprehensive guide is available in several languages. http://youngwomen.womenlobby.org/en/project
NGO	Projects in Turkey: The Purple Needle Campaign Women’s Rainbow Platform Flying Broom Association Women’s Library Foundation for Women’s Solidarity The National Programme for the Enhancement of Women’s Integration in Development and Association for Supporting and Educating Women Candidates	Turkey has served as a good example of women getting more and more involved at various levels and promote participation through successful projects especially after the 1980s. The mentioned projects tackle various issues from education to family laws and challenge men in their roles as head of the family. For more info on Turkey see: http://www.bianet.org/2003/03/21_eng/news9362.htm
Support network	“Follow the Women”	It was set up to create a support network and for future action towards peace. It aims to empower women, especially those who live “out of reach” to have their say. This event is creating publicity mainly because of its nature: a cycling project that would attract the attention of those in decision making position. http://www.followthewomen.com

Further reading:

www.kssgm.gov.tr

http://www.arabwomencourt.org/- fighting against violence of women in the Arab world

Looking into the future ….

There are very positive, forward thinking initiatives in the Euro-Med that demonstrate high level of awareness and understanding of gender issues. It can be attributed to the fact that more and more channels are opening for discussions and mutual understanding of what women’s roles and responsibilities are at a universal level and this has crept into mainstream discussions in both the Mediterranean and Europe.

However, there is a great need to realize that without sustained and long – term commitment there is no successful development. This can be challenged by youth work, which can offer solutions and creative ways to improve the situation of women in the Euro-Med.

What obstacles can be identified to women’s participation in both Europe and the Mediterranean?

- unstable governments

- relationship between NGOs and activists

- lack of dialogues between state and civil society ( if any)

- lack of properly functioning civil society

- rising fundamentalism

- financial difficulties

- persistent military conflicts

- Long standing social customs have been rarely challenged. Practices are being called religious without any need for justification.

Europe’s long struggle to integrate women’s work into its mainstream continues to be an important area to be improved. Women are reconciling their positions, setting new priorities and revisit their positions on public and social affairs. This struggle has supported and inspired female participation in the Mediterranean region just as women in the Arab world motivated European movements. They are intertwined and continue to develop in the light of each other.

Women’s participation is a manifold phenomenon. It is manifested at different platforms and levels. The problem with religion has been that even though most religious movements would agree on women’s need to participate and become public figures, they are not quite sure how to translate this message into practice. The Mediterranean myth of women being behind veils and left out is only partially true. They run community projects, social and educational initiatives as well as struggle for active participation in politics. They challenge male dominance by inventing arts and media projects. They may be perceived as invisible but their work flourishes and blossoms in a new generation of young people who consider equal participation and women’s rights as main priority. On the contrary, there are more and more women getting involved with political parties especially in Egypt, Jordan and Turkey. Religions can play a very important role in motivating women to get involved in politics and public affairs. Most religious movements have specially promoted women to work in the public sphere. There is undoubtedly a rise of religious and conservative women’s group stepping into the public space (e.g. Turkey, Egypt and Morocco).

Women’s work and participation broadly depends on the values promoted by the various traditions of feminism (namely: equal rights traditions, socialist tradition, modern- often regarded as radical -feminism) and specifically defined by the infrastructures and legal provisions of each country. Involvement and participation is looked at in a diverse manner and provide frameworks within which women find their space to work. Equal rights tradition promotes women’s full inclusiveness in obtaining and maintaining high positions at the work place. Socialist traditions tend to advocate changes in family life, marriage and relationships. Modern feminism moved a step further. It recognized to a greater extent that participation can not be fully achieved unless there is a radical change in the way men and women perceive each other. This radical change needs to be translated into the requirements of workforce and treat women equally to men.

Specific issues concerning young people:

- Some youth and minority groups have difficulties in cooperating with state institutions because of lacking appropriate legal status

- Young people from minority background often suffer from low self-esteem, confidence and their sense of belonging is often fragile

- Human rights education is insufficient in education and in youth work, therefore young people have little or no reference points.

- Religious minorities are still a taboo in many societies

Can you think about any more reasons?

..And how can they be challenged….

- Allowing more work and research about various networks and associations to raise awareness and acknowledge women’s struggle for equality

- Activism has to be made ( nationally and internationally) part of a democratic society and mobilization of citizens

- Gradual integration of women’s talent into policy making procedures

- Setting up more networks and support groups internationally for mutual learning and inspiration

- Training both sexes on women’s issues

- Acknowledge arts and social projects at national and international level

Today’s young people are tomorrow’s active citizens. Young people under the age of 25 make up half of the population and more than 80% of them live in developing countries. By starting to educate the youth from young age they can be empowered and understand the prime importance of human dignity, rights and responsibility and start building a more just society. Their spiritual, intellectual capability needs to be nurtured and provided for. The skills young people can offer needs to be cherished and developed but only in short term measures but rather consistently and in line with a global framework to establish equality in all spheres of life- be it political, economic or social. If young people are involved in the development process they can remove obstacles to active participation and empower their peers to create a powerful, new kind of citizen that is concerned about equality issues.

The issue of women’s participation is often regarded as a harsh, thorny reality. However, looking at the achievements demonstrate the results of hard work, clear vision and commitment. It needs to be acknowledged and appreciated to give hope and inspiration for the many women who seemingly or invisibly work hard to achieve balance, equality and justice for all.

Conclusion

All women in the world share common concerns. Equality needs to be established on the basic understanding of human rights. The challenges which women face in the Euro-Med are not, in any way, different from the rest of the world. There are universally acknowledged issues that need to be tackled by women and for women. These issues, once acknowledged and appreciated can be transformed into a more active realm- the empowerment of women. This is certainly a gradual process but as it is an ongoing development, vital for the stability of any society in the future.

Women have and are making a huge difference in the world by stepping up and vocalize their opinions. The specific historical and socio-economic preamble of the Euro-Med has posed many interesting debates and offered creative solutions that can be utilized in other parts of the world. There have been great many lessons learnt and drawn that can be used for future development. Women of the Euro-Med have struggled their way through to a more tolerant and mutually exclusive cooperation that is the part of a wider picture- a more just and tolerant humanity.

The fundamental challenge of establishing gender equality, however, still exists. By enabling and educating women in short and long term, by giving them the right tools will help to reach the aim of a better society and a better world. There is a great need for commitment from international as well as national and local communities to realize that this can only be achieved by a commitment given by all participant- men and women of all walks of life.

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International agreements

GLOSSARY

acceptance

accession

adoption

amendment

approval

authentication

authentic language

authentic or authenticated text

bilateral treaty

certified true copy

certified true copy for depositary purposes

certified true copy for registration purposes

certifying statement

C.N.

consent to be bound

contracting State

convention

correction

credentials

date of effect

declaration

interpretative declaration

mandatory declaration

optional declaration

depositary

depositary notification (C.N.)

entry into force

definitive entry into force

entry into force for a State

provisional entry into force

exchange of letters or notes

filing and recording

Final Act

final clauses

full powers

instrument of full powers

instrument of general full powers

interpretative declaration

mandatory declaration

memorandum of understanding (M.O.U.)

modification

Monthly Statement

multilateral treaty

optional declaration

party

plenipotentiary

protocol

provisional application

provisional application of a treaty that has entered into force

provisional application of a treaty that has not entered into force

provisional entry into force

ratification, acceptance, approval

registration

reservation

revision/ review

signature

definitive signature (signature not subject to ratification)

simple signature (signature subject to ratification)

treaty

Bilateral treaty

Multilateral treaty

2007 ride

Gender & gender equality

"Gender equality" Policy forum in Madrid

Transnationality boosts gender equality

An intensive import - export process

Benefits beyond the boundaries of the DP

ESF seminar on "Integrating Partnership and Gender Equality into ESF Programmes for 2007-2013"

Spain presents its national mainstreaming plan and launches Action 3

The new Mainstreaming Plan

Spain presents its national mainstreaming plan and launches Action 3

The new Mainstreaming Plan

Conclusion

Suggested Reading List