May 24, 2010

7th Councıl of Europe Conference of Mınısters Responsıble for Equalıty between Women and Men Entıtled “Gender equalıty: brıdgıng the gap between de jure and de facto gender equalıty”

7th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Equality between Women and Men entitled "Gender equality: bridging the gap between de jure and de facto gender equality" started May 24 at Gulustan Palace, Baku.  

 

In the event attended by heads of institutions of the Council of Europe member states functioning in the field, guests from countries such as the U.S, Vatican, Canada, Japan, Mexico, representatives of governmental bodies, diplomatic corps in Baku, international and non-governmental organizations, Head of the President Administration"s Department for Humanitarian Policy Fatma Abdullazade read out President Ilham Aliyev"s congratulatory letter to the Conference’s participants.

Mehriban Alıyeva, First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, MP, addressed the opening ceremony.

 

Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Maud de Boer-BUQUICCHIO said in our real life scenario, men still occupy practically all leading positions and women are relegated to a secondary role. Very often, women are seen as a vulnerable category of the population.

 

Equality between women and men is an integral part of human rights and a fundamental criterion of democracy. Gender equality means an equal visibility, empowerment, responsibility and participation of both women and men in all spheres of public and private life, the Deputy Secretary General stressed.

She underlined over the past decades, most inequalities in law have been eliminated. But even if women have the same rights as men, they do not always have the same access to the opportunities offered to men and demands for their rights are not often successful. Many inequalities still prevent full respect and protection of women"s human rights. They are structurally infringed when women are victims of various forms of violence, marginalized in political and public life, suffer discrimination in employment or difficulties in reconciling private and professional life, paid less for work of equal value and find themselves victims of poverty and unemployment more often than men. The Council of Europe is giving priority to identifying and analyzing the tools which are available to remedy existing inequalities. It is very necessary to implement projects to assure gender equality between women and men. This is the substance of the strategy.

Maud de Boer-Buquicchio noted by treating women and men differently, we can also contribute to the removal of structural gender stereotypes and differences. Determined action is needed to bring about social and cultural changes. Education and media are two essential factors for such change towards de facto equality.

She stated education is an indispensable tool for identifying and combating all forms of stereotypes and sexism, but unfortunately the roles traditionally assigned to each sex influence and restrict the choices made by both sexes regarding education, professional activity and lifestyle.

 

The Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe said making of a special resolution and a plan of action at this conference will contribute to the assurance of gender equality.

 

Expressing pleasure of attending the Conference, UN Deputy Secretary General Asha-Rose MIGIRO thanked the Azerbaijani authorities for contributing to the discussion of such an important topic and hospitality.

 

Valuing Baku as an ancient and modern city at the same time, she noted new developments in Azerbaijan provide convenient spaces to live and work, and I am confident that this in turn will help create a positive and more prosperous future for all of this country"s citizens.

 

Talking of the very necessary role women play in life and society, the UN Deputy Secretary General informed of her organization"s action towards gender equality, saying UN implements several projects in the sphere.

 

Touching upon the role of women in assurance of peace and development, Asha-Rose Migiro mentioned this conference is a huge opportunity to discuss the problems and search for the ways to their solution. Some countries have changed the rules and laws causing discrimination and we appreciate it.

 

Talking of positive changes accomplished in field of education in a number of countries that have provided greater possibilities to women, she emphasized the level of maternal mortality must be decreased. According to her, there is a lot to be done, though there are achievements in some directions. Asha-Rose Migiro said the most necessary to us is that gender stereotypes, discrimination to women and girls must be eliminated. We need to enhance participation of women in decision making.

 

The UN Deputy Secretary General stated the Council of Europe has raised very important problem advancing the topic on gap in gender equality. I think, assuring equality we need to strive to achieve progress and peace. This conference is very important step in this course.

 

Then, First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Maud de Boer-Buquicchio and UN Deputy Secretary General Asha-Rose Migiro were photographed.

 

Chairwoman of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Problems Hijran Huseynova was elected a chairperson of the Conference.

 

PACE delegate Joe Mendes Bota expressed honor for being in Azerbaijan and gratitude to the Azeri Government for the high-level event and hospitality. He informed of works his organizations does for assuring gender equality.

 

The PACE representative mentioned the decision PACE recently adopted aims removing the gap between women and men equality and major goal of the network created at the Organization is to remove violence against women.

 

Chairman of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities Yan Micallef noted importance of the Conference in exchange of dialog and global experience in field of gender equality. In modern European society women partake in all public spheres, politics and business. However, there are gaps in gender equality. Some recommendations and resolutions have not been fulfilled yet. This is why gender equality is very necessary for modern society, and on the other hand, there is need for further development of achievements gained. Gender equality is a fundamental need in democratic country. To assure it stereotypes must be removed.

 

Chairperson of the Council of Europe Conference of NGOs Karin Nordmeyer talked of measures her organization takes in the respective field. She stressed complete use of women"s potential in the world should be assured.

 

According to her, some countries ban discrimination by legislation, however it needs to increase joint efforts to completely fulfil the decisions adopted. The Council of Europe fights against discrimination to balance participation of women and men in all spheres of public life.

 

Then, the Conference was continued in discussion of subject “Taking positive actions to achieve de facto gender equality”. The speakers highly assessed the special attention Azerbaijan, as part of Europe, pays to gender affairs, stressing gender equality in field of education, employment and family in Azerbaijan is widely applied.

 

They emphasized necessity for formation of a perfect legislative base in field of gender affairs.

 

A video about gender stereotypes was presented during discussions on “Role of education and media in fight against gender stereotypes”.

 

Director for International Relations of the European Commission Citizenship and Gender Equality Committee Isabel Romao expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijan Government for organizing such a significant conference. Talking of education"s role in removing stereotypes between women and men, she mentioned problems in the field begin from the education gaps in school.

 

Chief Inspector of the Education and Science Department of Ireland Maureen Bohan stressed huge role education plays in fight against gender stereotypes, talked of problems caused by lack of attention to education.

 

Joke Hermes from the Netherlands spoke on the role of media in fighting against stereotypes. Mentioning the strong impact of media on this issue, she said the press needs to take necessary actions in the field. Mass media takes close part in solution of family and women problems. Monitoring of TV and radio channels, press agencies shows materials, reports, programmes on settlement of important problems, as well on removal of gender stereotypes are presented to the audience. In this respect, the role of media in fight against gender stereotypes is undeniable.

The Conference was continued in discussions on the topic.