The institutional reform of the EU and gender equality

THE INSTITUTIONAL REFORM OF THE EU AND GENDER EQUALITY
article by Anna KARAMANOU, MEP of PASOK	29. 12. 2002

Who would have expected that after fifty years of European policy on gender equality, a body would be established to decide on the reform of the institutions and the future of Europe without the involvement of women?

Unfortunately, despite all the bold statements made from time to time, when it comes to the distribution of power, men reserve for themselves the privilege of deciding for us, before we do. Their generosity was expressed by the participation of only 17 women in a Constitutional Assembly of 105 members, in which the European Parliament, national Parliaments, governments, and the European Commission are represented. Greece, to its credit, chose one woman (MP M. Giannakou) among its three representatives, while out of the fifteen members sent by the European Parliament to the Assembly, five are women.

However, there is no evil without good… The good in this case is that the event served as a loud wake-up call for those who considered the policy of equality as a given. The numbers undeniably show that the road is still long and difficult. That when regulations are not binding, the usual selection processes push women to the margins. That the historical exclusion of the female gender from public life is deeply ingrained in the social consciousness.

That the appeal to logic and a sense of justice is not enough to turn the tide… Something more is needed. Above all, political will is required, which will translate into measures of immediate implementation and visible results.

The reaction of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality of the European Parliament, as well as of the most significant women’s organizations, such as the European Women’s Lobby and the European Union of Women Lawyers, was immediate. In addition to protest démarches, primarily addressed to Mr. Giscard d’Estaing, working groups were formed, expert meetings were held, and two special sessions of the European Parliament’s Women’s Committee were organized, with the participation of members of the Presidium of the Convention.

The Copenhagen Conference, held from November 21-23, 2002, where female Members of Parliament and Senators from all EU member states and candidate countries participated, resulted in a Declaration that summarizes the minimum demands of women from the future Treaty, which in no case can fall short of the community acquis in this area.

As for the structure, it should:

• The Charter of Fundamental Rights should be incorporated into the Constitutional Treaty.

• Gender equality should be included in the fundamental values of the Union.

• The elimination of inequalities and the promotion of gender equality between women and men should be one of the Union’s objectives and duties.

Regarding European policy and its implementation, it should:

• Gender equality should be taken into account in all policy areas, at all levels, and by all those involved in the policy processes.

• Community law and the law of the Member States in criminal matters should include all forms of violence against women, including trafficking.

• The balanced participation of women and men should be a fundamental principle for all decision-making bodies and should be supported by actions aimed at improving the position of women as the underrepresented gender.

• The Treaty should include a chapter on “Gender Equality” that provides a strong and clear legal basis for equality issues.

• The Treaty should be written in gender-neutral language (the masculine does not necessarily include the feminine…).

The message is clear. Women and their values cannot be sidelined in the process of designing the future of Europe. The implementation of gender equality policy stems from our democratic principles and it is natural for it to be part of the new constitutional treaty.