Sumario: March 4, 2003: Greek Presidency in the EU workshop in the General Assembly of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (C.S.W.) (New York)
Minister of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation Costas Skandalidis travelled to New York on 28 February to represent the European Union at the 47th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, accompanied by the General Secretary for Equality, Efi Bekou, and the Interior Ministry Coordinator for Presidency issues, George Nikitiadis.
On Monday 3 March, Skandalidis presented the EU's positions and also the progress made in issues of Gender Equality at the Commission's plenary session.
«The European Union is promoting a society of values that recognises the rights of all people, boys and girls, men and women. Gender equality is an essential element in the principles of EU policy on equality, solidarity, social justice, human rights and correct governance. The common Framework Strategy (2001-2005) covers all aspects of gender equality with regard to economic life, political and social rights, including the right to health care, decision-making, as well as changes in roles and
traditional stereotypes,» Skandalidis said. He noted also that the EU had the will to realise the political commitment to incorporate the Beijing Platform for Action and the Outcome Document adopted at the 23rd Special Session of the UN General Assembly.
During his speech, Skandalidis referred to the progress made and the EU's positions on employment and social policy, equal treatment, women with special needs, the incorporation of the gender aspect in all policies, gender equality in political life, violence against women, trafficking in human beings, especially women and children, and gender and the information society.
Regarding employment and social policy, Skandalidis stressed that the values of the European Model were aimed simultaneously at economic advancement and social justice and that the EU had undertaken the commitment - by 2010 - to raise the rate of employment of women in Member States from 53% to 60%, to find ways to ensure the harmonisation of family and professional life, to eliminate pay inequalities, and to reinforce women's employment at all levels and especially in administrative positions.
On the issue of gender equality in political life, he said the EU believed that governments and the international community must continue to strive for an increase in the participation of women in decision-making, which is why the Union was urging governments to ensure that women can influence the political agenda and decision-making.
Concerning violence against women, Skandalidis noted that the EU, in the framework of implementing the Beijing Platform for Action, had since 1996 intensified its efforts to effectively combat the phenomenon. He announced also that the Greek Presidency will further develop the existing institutional framework and host an in-depth dialogue with experts and Member States in May 2003. On the issue of trafficking in human beings, he said the EU was determined to implement policies to prevent the
phenomenon, prosecute those responsible and protect society from this blatant violation of human rights. At the same time, he added, the Union was urging governments to sign and ratify the International Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its additional legal protocols, such as the protocol to prevent, combat and punish trafficking in human beings, especially of women and children.
Concluding his speech, Skandalidis said: «Safeguarding rights and ensuring gender equality are prerequisites for every boy and girl, every man and woman to have a full life and contribute the utmost to the prosperity and development of their societies. This can be attained if we henceforth focus on the effective implementation of international commitments, which have been undertaken by governments, on gender equality within the framework of the UN».
| Arriba |
Estados Miembros de la Union Europea
Alertas por e-mail
Enviar por e-mail
Imprimir esta página