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Steps towards achieving gender equality Date: 03-03-2007
Author: EMHRN

International Women's Day March 8, 2007

Steps towards achieving gender equality
 
On the occasion of 8 March, the International Women's Day, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) would like to take the opportunity to applaud all regional and international efforts which contribute to enhancing equality between men and women and stress the long way remaining before gender equality is achieved.
 

The EMHRN welcomes  the 5 Years Plan of Action for "Strengthening the Role of Women in the Society" adopted at the EU Ministerial conference in Turkey in November 2006 as  a step towards achieving common ground among the Euro-Mediterranean Partners for promoting gender equality, which is both possible and necessary*. 

 

In order to implement this objective, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network recommends that:

§         A Work Plan is developed to accompany the Five Year Plan which should be clear, explicit and specific in the goals it wants to achieve in the short, medium and long term and the time frame within which to achieve these goals.

§         A Follow-up Committee is established to clarify the composition and mandate of the review mechanism. Representatives of relevant civil society organizations with track record in these fields should be part of the Follow-up Committee.

§         The EMP supports the setting up of observatories in each country consisting of representatives of civil society to monitor the implementation of the Plan of Action.

§         The European Union and the Partner States strengthen information and consultation with NGOs on the gender equality dimension of the EMP and the ENP.

§         The European Parliament and the EuroMed Parliamentary Assembly be encouraged to be more involved in the implementation of the Plan.

§         The Euro-Med Foreign Ministers Conference evaluates the progress made in the implementation of the Plan of Action and that gender equality becomes a high priority on national levels as well as on EU levels.

§         The EMP ensures coherence and synergies between the Plan of Action and the EMP and ENP frameworks in relation to gender mainstreaming and promotion of women’s rights.

 

§         Funding necessary for the implementation of the Plan is allocated by the EuroMed governments.

 
 
March 3, 2007
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