 |
 | Dieses Dokument liegt nicht in Ihrer Sprache vor. Bitte wählen Sie eine Sprache aus der Liste der verfügbaren Sprachen aus. |
Press release
Women's rights: strategic goals of Beijing Platform not yet achieved
Women's rights/Equal opportunities - 25-02-2010 - 12:46
Plenary sessions
Plenary sessions
To achieve quicker de facto gender equality, Commission and Member States should adopt and implement specific gender equality policies, Parliament said in a resolution adopted on Thursday. Improving the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women also belongs to the women's right agenda, including enabling fathers to share family responsibilities by taking paternity leave, MEPs said.
The resolution on Beijing +15 – UN Platform for Action for Gender Equality, drafted by Eva-Britt Svensson (GUE/NGL, SE), was adopted by a show of hands. This resolution - based on oral questions to Council and Commission - assesses the targets set at the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing in 1995.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Efforts must be made to strengthen sexual and reproductive health and rights in Europe and globally, as an integral part of the women’s rights agenda, according to the resolution.
MEPs stress that abortion should not be promoted as a method of family planning and that women who have had recourse to abortion should receive humane treatment and counselling.
It is crucial to involve men and boys actively in programmes to promote gender equality, believes Parliament. Men should be offered realistic opportunities to share family responsibilities with women on an equal footing, especially with paternity leave.
Strategic objectives not yet achieved after 15 years
MEPs point out that despite the efforts made, the strategic objectives of the Beijing Platform for Action have not been achieved 15 years later. They stress that inequality and gender stereotypes persist, with women remaining in a position subordinate to men.
Gender equality chapter to be included in EU2020 strategy
A strong gender equality priority or chapter should be included in the revision of the Lisbon Strategy, accompanied by new targets, and links with the Beijing Platform for Action should be strengthened, according to the resolution.
European Institute for Gender Equality
Parliament urges the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) to develop strategies and tools for gender mainstreaming, particularly in the areas of gender impact assessment and gender budgeting. MEPs also urge EIGE to promote exchanges of knowledge between Member States in all fields addressed in the Beijing Platform.
Rapporteur: Eva-Britt Svensson (GUE/NGL, SE) on behalf of the Womens' Rights and Gender Equality Committee
Procedure: Debate with resolution
REF.: 20100224IPR69482