The Manifesto of the European Elections for Gender Equality

PASOK – Women’s Sector

Central Macedonia Region

Thessaloniki, Sunday, April 5, 2009

GrandHotel, 11.30 – 15.00

“THE SOCIALISTS SUPPORT WOMEN IN EUROPE AND IN THE WORLD”

Anna Karamanou, PESWomenVice–President, MEP,

t. President of the Women’s Rights Committee

and Gender Equality of the European Parliament

“Protagonists in the Promotion of Gender Equality”

Presentation of the positions of the PESManifesto, for the European Parliament elections of 7.6.09

Two months before the European elections, the European Union and Greece find themselves in the midst of a deep international and domestic crisis that brings to light the major structural problems of the economy. Let us hope that the day before yesterday’s “historic compromise” of the G20 can serve as a turning point for addressing the recession, “not with words, but with a plan for global recovery and reform, with a clear timetable,” as emphasized by Gordon Brown. The only certainty is that the crisis puts an end to a model of collective and individual prosperity that is based on borrowing, reckless consumption, environmental degradation, and the acquisition of easy wealth.

The major transformations that are required, however, need inspiration, mobilization, and hard work. The times are not suitable for tired leaders and torn parties. Our country and Europe need fresh ideas and a renaissance everywhere: in politics, in production, in intellectual thought. The model of adventurous and uncontrolled neoliberalism has failed, as has that of authoritarian state communism. That is why the proposal of European social democracy (and of PASOK, of course), for a combination of a strategic state with a regulated market, high-quality public goods, and faith in principles and values, answers the call for a new development model and can serve as the basis for a new global architecture.

It is a fact that, in recent years, European social democracy has suffered more defeats than victories, resulting in a decrease in its influence in the EU. Therefore, the great challenge for us is to overturn the dominance of the right and the center-right in the European elections on the 7 ^th of June. The battlefield will be the European Parliament. If we fail in our attempt to achieve a progressive majority, our influence will suffer further reduction. For our country, the goal is twofold: a/ At a national level, the European elections should function as a referendum, highlighting PASOK as the first party with a significant lead, in order to defeat and remove the incompetent and immoral government of New Democracy, which has plunged Greece into disrepute and has brought the economy to the brink of disaster. b/ To elevate the Socialist Group as the first and most powerful in the European Parliament.

Since 2004 and after, all the sister European parties, through the PES (Party of European Socialists), they coordinate their efforts and unite their forces in order to present a common vision for the EU in these elections and to provide clear answers to the pressing questions posed by citizens today. The result of this four-year collaboration and exhaustive dialogue is the PES Manifesto, common for all member parties of the PESwhich clearly presents our priorities, specific proposals for what we intend to do in the next 5 years in the EU and our differences with other parties. Approximately 600 written suggestions and proposals were submitted prior to its voting. The Manifesto, which has as its main slogan “Citizen First – A New Direction for Europe”, It was completed and voted on at the PES Council in Madrid, in early December 2008, in the presence of George Papandreou and all the leaders of the European socialist parties.

The Women’s Council of the Party of European Socialists (PES) had a significant contribution in formulating the positions for the European elections of June 2009. Today we can be proud that the PES is the only European party that has placed gender equality and women’s rights among its priorities, which are a total of six:

Addressing the economic crisis, restructuring the economy, and preventing new financial crises. Reforming the markets for the benefit of the real economy and a European strategy for smart green growth and employment.
New Social Europe – A fair agreement with citizens – Protection of their rights – reduction of inequalities – improvement of people’s lives.
Environment: To turn Europe into a global leader for a global climate agreement. To lead by our example. A more ambitious climate and energy policy for the EU.
Gender Equality: Key players in ensuring gender equality. Let’s make equality a reality for everyone.
Effective European Immigration Policy: European cooperation is essential – establishing common rules – solidarity – sharing of burdens – creation of a European Charter of Rights and Obligations.
Reinforcement of Europe’s role for peace, security, and development. Prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts. A world without nuclear weapons. Strengthening Euro-Mediterranean relations. Enhancing cooperation between police and judicial authorities to combat drug trafficking, crime, and terrorism. Eradication of poverty. Achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, all the member parties of the PES organized events to present the positions of European Socialists on equality, as part of the campaign for the European Parliament elections. In Athens, the Women’s Sector honored the International Day on March 6, 2009, with a mass event.

The Manifesto notes the significant progress that has been made in recent years toward achieving real equality between men and women, thanks mainly to the struggles of socialists and social democrats, in collaboration with progressive women’s organizations.

However, serious inequality issues remain: women still earn on average 15% less than men for the same job in the EU, are more threatened by unemployment, and their entry into employment is discouraged by a lack of job opportunities, or by the availability of low-quality or part-time positions. Furthermore, millions of women around the world face exploitation and violations of their rights, trafficking, domestic violence, etc.

Throughout Europe, after more than half a century of acquiring the right to vote and be elected, women in politics are very few. In the Socialist Group of the European Parliament, women make up 41.4% of the members compared to 24% of the European People’s Party.

In some countries, men have no parental leave rights. Women are often forced to choose between children and career. For working women and men, it is very difficult to combine the obligations of professional and personal life. We need to change this: We have launched a campaign at local, regional, national, and European levels to increase childcare places. It is known that EU countries that have strengthened the rights and opportunities of women now have the highest participation of women in employment and the highest birth rates (Sweden, France, etc.)

We continue to fight against social racial stereotypes because we believe that strengthening women’s rights and equal opportunities will bring specific economic, social, and democratic benefits to all citizens.

To make gender equality a reality for all, we propose:

To draft a European Charter for Women’s Rights. To improve the rights and opportunities of women and to promote mechanisms for achieving equality in all areas of social, economic, and political life.

To establish improved parental leave rights for women and men across the EU at the highest possible levels.

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 and we will demand the creation of a Commissioner for Gender Equality position.

We will work to support parents in balancing caregiving and professional obligations. To support this goal, we propose that member states fulfill the European target of 33% coverage of needs for children aged 0-3 years and 90% for children from 3 years to school age, while simultaneously adopting supplementary qualitative targets for child care (European Council of Barcelona, 2002).

We will lead the battle to close the gender pay gap, as it is a matter of vital importance for improving the standard of living, combating poverty, and enhancing economic growth.

We will encourage and support women entrepreneurs, scientists, and researchers in order to expand their opportunities.

We will ensure and promote sexual and reproductive rights and health rights throughout the EU.

Efforts in Europe to combat trafficking in human beings and sexual exploitation will be reinforced through better judicial and police cooperation.

We should encourage and support the EU and its member states in their efforts to stop domestic and racial violence, including violence against national minorities, through appropriate European programs and funding.

A new European progressive and reformist agenda is necessary in order to continue to be at the forefront of the fight for equality between women and men.

We can build a fairer society by prioritizing people. Let’s put Europe on a new trajectory in June 2009. We can achieve a progressive, social democratic majority in the European Parliament.

Victory for Greece! Victory for Europe!

anna@karamanou.gr, www.karamanou.gr