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MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION OF WOMEN IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS
A1+
[05:33 pm] 17 January, 2007
A report aimed at improving the situation of women in the South
Caucasus has just been adopted by the Committee on Equal Opportunities
for Women and Men of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe (PACE).
According to the rapporteur, Vera Oskina (Russia, EDG), the
situation is worrying on several counts, the first of these being the
participation of women in political life: the parliamentarians deplored
the current levels of representation in the parliaments concerned
- 4.6% in Armenia, 10.5% in Azerbaijan and 9.4% in Georgia - and
recommended an increase in the minimum rate of female representation.
Concerning discrimination in the workplace, the parliamentarians
have called for a narrowing of the gap in salaries between women
and men for example, particularly in the private sector, as well as
protection for pregnant women against the loss of their job. In the
health field, the parliamentarians called for measures to reduce the
number of abortions and pregnancies among girls, through affordable
or if necessary free contraception.
Finally, the parliamentarians want the authorities of the countries
concerned to realise that violence against women exists, especially
domestic violence, a subject that is still largely taboo. Other
aspects covered include refugee and displaced women, and women in
prison. The committee wants the debate to be put on the agenda of
the PACE spring session.
A1+
[05:33 pm] 17 January, 2007
A report aimed at improving the situation of women in the South
Caucasus has just been adopted by the Committee on Equal Opportunities
for Women and Men of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe (PACE).
According to the rapporteur, Vera Oskina (Russia, EDG), the
situation is worrying on several counts, the first of these being the
participation of women in political life: the parliamentarians deplored
the current levels of representation in the parliaments concerned
- 4.6% in Armenia, 10.5% in Azerbaijan and 9.4% in Georgia - and
recommended an increase in the minimum rate of female representation.
Concerning discrimination in the workplace, the parliamentarians
have called for a narrowing of the gap in salaries between women
and men for example, particularly in the private sector, as well as
protection for pregnant women against the loss of their job. In the
health field, the parliamentarians called for measures to reduce the
number of abortions and pregnancies among girls, through affordable
or if necessary free contraception.
Finally, the parliamentarians want the authorities of the countries
concerned to realise that violence against women exists, especially
domestic violence, a subject that is still largely taboo. Other
aspects covered include refugee and displaced women, and women in
prison. The committee wants the debate to be put on the agenda of
the PACE spring session.