Euromed Women’s conference ends with call for sustainable gender equality policies

CAIRO — Education and strong implementation of laws that protect women are two important tools to safeguard the wellbeing of women in the region, according to participants in a two-day Euromed Women’s Rights Civil Society Conference that concluded in Cairo last week.

The participants agreed that there is an urgent need to break the stereotypes in education by ensuring gender sensitive curricula and training of teachers on gender matters.

Around 130 representatives from 107 organisations and networks, as well as academia and media from 26 countries, took part in the two-day, conference organised by Euromed Feminist Initiative and funded by the EU.

The participants called on the governments of the region to adopt comprehensive gender equality laws, especially those that criminalise all forms of violence against women, and to establish a monitoring system and allocate financial and human resources to follow up on implementation of these laws.

The participants also emphasised that priority must be given to sustainable gender equality policies to face the increasing wave of social conservatism, religious extremism, nationalism and populism, to favour democracy and development in the Euro-Med region as well as political solutions to the conflicts. 

They underlined that the rise of violent extremism has led to increased threats to women’s lives, and said it must be treated as a security issue integral to the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, to be developed by the governments. 

Sexual violence, assault, torture and slavery increase in the context of armed conflict, the participants said, adding that the advancement of women’s rights is a key to promoting and preserving the rule of law in any society, particularly in times of crises. 

Women’s equal participation and role in social, economic and political decision-making as well as in peace negotiations are crucial in finding political solutions to the conflicts in the region, including solutions related to the burning issue of displaced persons and refugees, the participants stated.  

Therefore, the participants insisted on structural access of women’s CSOs and women’s rights defenders to participation in formal peace negotiations in the region, so that issues related to equal citizenship and equality between women and men are present in transitional processes.  

The development and adoption in all countries of the Euro-Med region of National Action Plans for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 was seen as another tool to include women in peace negotiation and decision-making and to curb violence against women.

 Turning to women and economy, the participants called for harmonising legislation to encourage women to enroll in the labour market and the economy, which includes the provision of safe environment that has zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

They also called for adopting gender sensitive budgets that address women’s equal participation and rights, as well as introducing non-traditional subjects in the school’s curriculum.

The recommendations also adopted suggestions made by SADAQA, a non-profit organisation advocating for a better working environment for women in Jordan, which called for the improved infrastructure and social services such as establishment of daycare centres at working places and ensuring safe transportation systems to encourage women to join the labour market.

 As for media, the participants recommended calls to involve more women in decision-making and editorial positions.

Director of Policies and Strategies at the Ministry of Social Development Ahmad Abu Haidar, who attended the event on behalf of Minister Hala Lattouf, addressed the gathering on Thursday saying that there is a "real need" of true cooperation between the government and civil society organisations.

 “We have a historical partnership between NGOs and the government to come up with strong recommendations and strategies on women’s issues and other relevant matters that concerns our region,” Abu Haidar added.

 He gave an example of the “real cooperation with the local organisation in connection with the expected opening of a shelter for women whose lives are in danger that is slated to open next year”.

 “This shelter, which will open its doors in the next months, is the result of cooperation and coordination with the civil societies organisations,” Abu Haidar said.

 “I believe that the presence of political will, as well as strong cooperation between the government and civil organisation, plus financial support will surely lead us to sustainable development and support of women causes,” Abu Haidar added.

Also on Thursday, head of the Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Egypt Diego Escalona told the gathering that the EU has a gender action plan that has number of goals to improve gender equality and empower women.

“The EU is devoted to support civil society organisations, in particular women's rights groups, because they play a key role in achieving gender equality and women empowerment,” Escalona stressed.

 UN Women regional office for Arab states in Egypt, Maryse Guimond, said that governments “cannot disregard half of the population [of women] and expect sustainable development”.

“Ensuring the inclusion of women in leadership and decision-making positions is of extreme importance. It is not just to increase numbers but to ensure effective implementation,” Guimond told the gathering.

 Executive Director of Euromed Feminist Initiative Boriana Jonsson stressed at the conclusion of the event that “this conference is the final step of the multi-sector dialogue process with decision makers, led by the women’s rights organisations and organised by the Euromed Feminist Initiative”.

“Our aim is to provide concrete policy recommendations in the field of gender equality to the ministers that are implementable before the next ministerial meeting in three years,” Jonsson said.

Jonsson and Co-President of Euromed Feminist Initiative Leila Al Ali will deliver the declaration of the conference to the ministers during the ministerial meeting on November 27.