Ministers speech on behalf of the CZ PRES at 14th meeting of The Commissioners´Group on Fundamental Rights, antidiscrimination and Equal Opportunities

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am honoured to be able to speak here on behalf of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union on the occasion of the International Women´ s Day.

At the very beginning I would like to express my wish that this day continues to be the symbol of achieving success in promoting equality between women and men (Many of us remember the time when in some countries this day was the symbol of obedience to the Communist Party and had nothing in common with the respect toward women´ s rights). Therefore it is necessary to continue to state the significance of the efforts to reach the equality of all, including women and men, and prevent discrimination and support the freedom of every individual.

Although a bit late, I would like to wish women (but men too) to be able to proceed faster and more efficiently in promoting equality.

As a representative of the Czech Presidency I welcome information on the results we have achieved when fulfilling the Plan for Equality between Women and Men, the so-called Road Map.

Despite considerable achievements, it is still necessary to do a great deal of work in order to free ourselves of the behaviour patterns, which have been strengthened in us for centuries. I believe that along with the persistent gender mainstreaming it is necessary to focus particularly on:

1) Consequent combating all forms of violence against women, which we still have not been able to suppress even though it is clearly damnable. It is necessary to intensively spread information on how a victim of violence may defend herself and to impose effective and meaningful sanctions on the perpetrators of crimes. It is particularly necessary to thoroughly promote prevention and develop methods of consequent therapy for both the perpetrators and the victims at the same time.

2) Emphasis should be laid on the promotion of sharing of decision-making and responsibilities both in the public sphere – in politics, economic matters and business, as well as in the private sphere – at home, in children´ s upbringing and care for the closest. In order for this goal to be reached it is necessary that the number of women in representative bodies be increased using such actions as equalising. Also the measures for effective harmonisation of private lives and work of men and women should be introduced.

3) Last but not least we must be also aware of and effectively suppress other than the so-called clean forms of discrimination. These involve the cases of multiple discrimination in particular, when one person is endangered by discrimination for more reasons and as such is more vulnerable. From the viewpoint of gender these may be women, who are members of an ethnic minority, women over the age of 50 or women migrants, whom the feminisation symptoms of poverty are often shown in.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In this part of my presentation I would like to introduce to you the events of the Czech Presidency to support equality between women and men, which have already taken place or will be held in the weeks and months to come.

Undoubtedly the most important events are:

- 53rd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York, where I presented the EU stands last week. The Commission will be in session until March 13 with the equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men including caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS being the priority themes. Equal participation of women and men in decision-making processes is the review theme. The Czech Republic also hosted a EU seminar on the harmonisation of work and family lives.

- On May 27, 2009 the European Conference on New Ways to Overcome Gender Stereotypes will be held in Prague. The conference will be organised for the EU Member States with the goal to strengthen the exchange of experience in innovative processes, tools and ways of achieving positive change in the public opinion thus overcoming gender stereotypes.

- At the Session of EU Ministers for Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs to be held on June 8 in Luxembourg, the Czech Presidency is going to submit the proposal of the Council conclusions on equal opportunities for women and men 50+ in active life and dignified ageing. This is a new topic, which has become more urging with regards to the qualitative changes in the lifestyle of the 50+ generation and with the increasing demographic ageing within Europe.

I would also like to mention the Gender Mainstreaming High Level Working Group Meeting in January in Prague, the participation of the Czech Presidency in the April session of the UN Commission on Population and Development as well as the participation in the three-week session of the International Labour Organisation to be held in Geneva at the end of May and beginning of June. At the meeting of the EU Council´ s Social Affairs Working Group the Czech Republic will discuss the proposal of the Directive of the European Parliament and the Council on Implementing Equal Treatment of Self-employed Men and Women.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The post-modern times require new solutions. We all know that there is no way back and that the model of the traditional role division – a public man and a private woman – cannot be maintained or restored. Having in mind the necessity of reducing the impact of population ageing and the need to stop the declining birth-rate in Europe it is vital that the equal opportunities for women and men are increasingly becoming reality.