European Elections 2009 – Let’s put 50/50 into practice – Political Association of Women
Political Association of Women
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
16 March 2009
“European Elections 2009 – Let’s make the goal of 50/50 a reality”
Anna Karamanou ,
former MEP, former President of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality of the European Parliament
“My Participation in the European Parliament 1997-2004”
First of all, I would like to express my joy for the reactivation of the PΣΓ, after a period of complacency. I am confident that the Association under the presidency of Efi Bekou – who combines long-term experience in active participation in social struggles, governmental tenure, and scientific knowledge – will regain its dynamism, as it was expressed for several years, since its inception in 1994, initially as the Interparty Women’s Collaboration.
The today’s event, with the participation of so many remarkable women politicians, demonstrates the dynamic that is developing so that it finally becomes a consciousness in our Country that the strengthening of women’s rights and gender equality in all areas is connected to specific economic, social, and democratic benefits for all citizens, men and women. Especially in times of crisis, like the one we are experiencing today, the participation of women in the planning of the future and the enrichment of politics with the experiences, skills, and ideas of both genders is a necessary condition for the renewal of politics and the exit from the crisis.
In light of the European elections on June 7, we unite our forces to put Europe on a new trajectory. We need a new European progressive and reformist agenda, a comprehensive action plan for a fairer, safer, and greener Europe. Women – not only quantitatively but primarily with qualitative characteristics – can make a significant contribution to the drafting of this plan, at both national and European levels, with imagination and audacity, with knowledge, prudence, and responsibility. The successful tenure of the women who represented Greece in the European institutions – particularly the two commissioners – substantiates this view.
Personally, I had the honor of being a member of the European Parliament during a period when our country was held in particular esteem and recognition by our European partners. It was the time when Greece accomplished its entry into the Eurozone and the accession of Cyprus to the EU. It was the era of Helsinki and the normalization of Greek-Turkish relations, the time of the Greek Presidency in 2003 and the successful management of the problems arising from the start of the war in Iraq. It was also the time of legislative initiatives, of the strategy and programs of Anna Diamantopoulou for the strengthening of social rights, the elimination of discrimination, and gender equality. It was also the time when the Secretary-General for Equality in Greece was Efi Bekou, and I had the pleasure, as chair of the Women’s Committee in the European Parliament (I was elected in early 2002), of direct and frequent collaboration with both.
The top European policy during that period was the promotion of the enlargement of the EU with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Cyprus, as well as the drafting of a Constitutional Treaty, to accelerate the processes of European integration and the democratic legitimization of all EU institutions.
The gender equality deficit and the respect for women’s rights in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe has been a matter of major concern for the Women’s Committee throughout the EU enlargement process, insisting that the incorporation of the Community acquis on gender equality must be a necessary condition for accession to the Community. On September 10, 2002, we organized a public hearing on the topic: “Does Enlargement Concern Women Too?,” while we sent delegations to most of the candidate countries in order to encourage parliamentary and governmental representatives and NGOs in their efforts to promote gender equality in democratic institutions and to combat all forms of violence against women.
The Women’s Committee undertook extensive action, in collaboration with non-governmental organizations, throughout the preparation of the draft Treaty for the establishment of a European Constitution, aimed at the constitutional enshrinement of women’s rights. Specific proposals were submitted, and there was broad agreement on the need to create a strong legal basis that would guarantee the effective implementation of gender equality, and consequently true democracy, in Europe. It is a fact that we succeeded in having equality included in the values of the Union and to remain one of the Union’s objectives in the consolidated text of the Treaties. We also managed to formulate the entire text in gender-neutral language.
In June 2003, we organized a public dialogue at the European Parliament on the topic of the 2004 European elections. Experts emphasized the need for a strategy that would ensure gender balance in candidate lists and awareness campaigns that highlight the advantages of equality-based democracy. A related report from the Women’s Committee was approved in October 2003. We stressed the need for affirmative action measures, for awareness campaigns, and legislative initiatives. We called on the governments of all member states and candidate countries to examine their electoral systems and change them if they negatively affect the representation of women in elected bodies. We also urged political parties to establish quota systems and/or to take measures for balanced gender participation (zippersystem). Furthermore, based on the conclusions of the Italian Presidency during the ministerial meeting in September 2003 in Syracuse, in which Anna Diamantopoulou and Efi Bekou participated, we called on political parties to agree on common policies on gender issues and to encourage the entry of women into politics.
SUMMARY REPORT OF THE WOMEN’S COMMITTEE, PERIOD 1999-2004
- 46 Reports (compared to 23 reports from 1994-99)
- 137 Opinions
- 21 public hearings
- 7 conferences
- Solidarity and representation missions of the Committee within and outside the EU (Afghanistan, Middle East, Turkey, Cyprus, USA, Africa, etc.)
- Political interventions and public dialogue with Israeli-Palestinian women, Greek-Cypriot-Turkish-Cypriot women, Roma women, women from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran.
My term in the European Parliament had all the characteristics of an exciting and at the same time creative tenure.
In the context of preparing for the European elections in June 2009, I would like to state, in my capacity as the Vice President of PES Women, that the PES, as well as the Women’s Sector of PASOK, support the 50/50 campaign for the European elections in June. Moreover, the PES parliamentary group in the European Parliament includes women at 41.4% compared to 24% of the EPP, while PASOK has been implementing 50/50 since 2004.
At the same time, we propose the drafting of a European Charter for the Rights of Women and the creation of appropriate mechanisms and means to achieve equality in all areas of social, economic, and political life.
As PASOK and as PES, we are launching a campaign for equal political representation of women and men in all decision-making bodies at the European level. We will fight for gender equality in the European Commission and the European Parliament (currently only 31% are women) while demanding the establishment of a Commissioner for Gender Equality.
Surely we can put Europe on a new trajectory in June 2009.