Full Minutes of the Meetings

SESSION OF THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2004

Women in Southeastern Europe

Κaramanou (PSE), Rapporteur . – Mr. President, as you know, after the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the Southeastern European region was shaken by ethnic conflicts and armed violence, which resulted in profound political, economic, and social changes.

In the report I prepared on behalf of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, I present the situation of women in Southeastern Europe as it has evolved during the transitional period in relation to the previous regime. My report aims to complement the reports concerning the Union’s relations with the countries of Southeastern Europe and the progress of these countries within the framework of the Stabilization and Association Agreements. My intention is to provide a comprehensive picture of the status of women in a region with significant differences between countries, but also with many similarities in the challenges they face. The report primarily focuses on the following areas: education and economic activity, participation in democratic institutions, violence against women and sexual exploitation, health and reproductive rights, and trafficking of women and children.

In most Balkan countries, there has indeed been significant improvement in the situation of women over the last five years. However, the key issues persist, and addressing them is not high on the political agenda of the countries in the region. Changes in many areas seem never to come, and where some are apparent, they occur at a very slow pace. Wartime confrontations, regime-based ideologies, traditional social prejudices, outdated practices and mindsets, as well as ethnic conflicts, have pushed women to the margins. It is notable that women from various minority groups, such as the Roma, receive no or minimal state support. The report analyzes the problems, providing specific examples of the weaknesses in each country by name, in order to send a strong message to the governments of these countries to take immediate action and initiatives to combat discrimination against women and actively promote gender equality.

Regarding education and the economy, the intense changes have significantly altered the positions and opportunities of different generations of women. Demographic trends today show that family life is no longer the primary life goal for women, who are more interested in their financial independence and professional recognition, investing more time and energy in education. In many countries in the region, such as Greece, the majority of university students are women. In terms of professional life, women are more often employees, meaning they are employed in the tertiary sector, in services, and less often employers compared to men, and they are also less likely to be self-employed. In the sectors where women are predominantly employed, wages are usually low with limited prospects for advancement. I also note the high unemployment and poverty rates among women in the Balkans.

Regarding women’s participation in political decision-making, the situation is rather disappointing in most countries, but there is a trend of continuous increase in this participation. One of the main similarities between the countries in the political field is the rapid spread of non-governmental organizations working for women’s rights, which have made a significant contribution to strengthening the position of women in employment and politics. It should be noted, however, that compared to other regions of Europe, such as Central Europe, the Balkan countries have the highest level of exclusion of women from positions of political decision-making.

Regarding women’s health and reproductive rights, I emphasize that particularly pressing living conditions, the survival economy based on the intensive exploitation of female human resources, the increase in violence against women, and the fact that in many countries healthcare systems have collapsed, pose a real threat to women’s health. In the Balkan countries, domestic violence is also often a problem of dramatic proportions, but mainly a problem with insufficient recognition and response. This issue, along with human trafficking, has reached explosive proportions. However, throughout the region, there is a lack of serious and systematic statistical data on the problem, a lack of adequate legislative regulation, monitoring, and guidance, as well as a lack of economic and psychological support for the victims.

Regarding the trafficking of women, Southeastern Europe has generally been identified in recent years as a region where trafficking networks operate almost unhindered. Human trafficking thrives because it is economically viable, forms a key part of the economy of desire, and is part of the consumer society. Trafficking in the region is, in fact, an industry, consisting of both small and large-scale enterprises, as well as local and international networks. This industry receives political support and financial resources in the countries of origin, transit, and destination, in the form of corrupt officials, and I would like to cite as a typical example the sexual slavery scandal in Montenegro, when a woman from Moldova, a victim of trafficking, identified well-known politicians as clients or even as being involved in the human trafficking trade. It should also be emphasized that peacekeeping forces in the region have contributed to the increase of this phenomenon.

I would like to conclude by saying that the path to the economic and social development of Southeastern Europe and the respect for women’s rights certainly passes through their integration into European structures. I would like to remind the European Council of Thessaloniki, in June 2003, which emphasized that it supports the European perspective of the countries of the Western Balkans. Because Europe cannot be safe and peaceful as long as violence, nationalist hatred, and violations of fundamental rights are daily practices within its borders. The role of women in reconciliation, peaceful coexistence, and the development of the countries of Southeastern Europe should be evaluated by the European Union and strengthened in every possible way.