Brussels, 23/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - Ten years ago, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on women, peace and security. This anniversary was alluded to by Belgian Minister Olivier Chastel, addressing the European Parliament (EP) on behalf of the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers and also on behalf of EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton. Though the protection of women in armed conflicts still leaves a great deal to be desired, Chastel listed the progress made: - appointment of the first United Nations Special Representative for violence against women during armed conflict; - adoption throughout the world of some 20 national plans (including 10 in the EU) to tackle such violence; - exchange of best practice; - funding of medical services for the victims of sexual violence; - the launch scheduled for 2011 of projects specifically to support women's networks; - development of local strategies and staff training.
The number of national plans to tackle violence will increase, stated Joaquín Almunia who, speaking for the European Commission, said that women must be encouraged to become involved in civil society, in the interests of development and peace.
Many MEPs agreed on this point: women must not be relegated to the role of victims, they must be players, stated Edit Bauer (Slovakia) for the EPP. Those guilty of violence must be identified and judged, said Mari Eleni Koppa (S&D, Greece) and Barbara Lochbihler (Greens/EFA, Germany). Lochbihler pointed out that African countries such as Liberia and Ivory Coast had adopted action plans, when her own country was still refusing to do so. Philippe Juvin (EPP, France) would like things to go beyond the stage of pious hopes: everywhere the EU becomes involved, it should undertake to encourage local women's organisations and even demand certain quotas of women in the decision-making process in some countries. If this were done with the PLO, the situation in the Middle East would be much improved, Juvin argued, calling for more women in EU delegations and representations.
Chastel replied that that was the aim as the External Action Service was being set up, with a positive response being sought to the eternal challenge of how to get more women in. Ashton has already appointed seven women, to be heads of delegation, a 50% increase on previous numbers. A resolution will be put to the vote on Thursday 25 November. (L.G./transl.rt)