| Marianne Spangenberg-Carlier is Vice-President of
D66 Women/Men/Human Rights thematic chapter
YABLOKO is the oldest democratic party in Russia. One important
issue at hand during the conference concerned worries that
because of the low birthrate of Russian women, abortion might
become illegal (now allowed within 12 weeks) or not covered
by the health insurance. Another issue brought to attention
by Yabloko, is the concern of so-called soldier-mothers about
the situation of young conscripts (one year army duty is obliged)
improvement is urgent.
Turkish MP Nursuna Memecan (AKP) mentioned recent changes
made to improve the position of women. In 2003 e.g. female
courts were set up to protect women s rights in the family
sphere and a labor law was passed to ensure equal pay. To
stimulate female entrepreneurship a tax exemption was granted
to selling home-made goods. German MP Marina Schuster (FDP)
mentioned the current debate in Germany about quota for more
equal representation in political parties. In my presentation,
I focused on the economic and financial independence of women
in the Netherlands. Up to 1957 women had to leave their jobs
when they married. Nowadays more Dutch women work than almost
anywhere in Europe (71.5 %, however 75% of them work part-time).
Similarities...
There is a pay-gap between men and women in similar jobs
(in Europe 17-25%; in Russia up to 40%) and in job-level.
It is difficult to combine work and care due to waiting-lists
for child-care facilities, inflexibility of the workplace
and cultural barriers. Forced marriages are also a matter
of concern in various countries in the EU and Russia.
But also differences.
MEP Kristina Ojuland (Estonian Reform Party) put forward
that in Estonia the unemployment rate of men is higher than
that of women (17% versus 11%). Women work full-time and get
18 months of full pay after childbirth. However, in Russia
women often go back to work as soon as possible, as they are
afraid to lose their jobs. Sometimes they are offered financial
incentives to quit their job. Domestic violence against women
is a problem (about 14000 are killed each year). At the same
time there are worries about the high suicide rate of young
jobless men! It was felt that women can be activated to rally
around specific issues. For example in St.Petersburg women
demanded a 30% quota for political institutions.
All participants felt that it is important to have a judicial
culture that is positive towards equality and non-discrimination
of women. The laws are mostly in place, the bottleneck is
in their implementation and application.
The conference was concluded by two recommendations: Women
should claim the right to equal pay and jobs at higher levels
(and to speed up the process temporary quota might be necessary).
Furthermore they have to claim a role in economic and political
life, not to be regarded solely as sister, wife and mother.
See also:
The
original publication
YABLOKO
and ELDR Joint Conference. Algorithms for Opposing Gender
Discrimination: the International and the Russian Experience.
Moscow, March 12, 2011. Speeches, Videos, Photographs
Women's
Movement
D66 party
web-site
YABLOKO's
Sister Parties
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