Brussels, 07/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - The EP approved in second reading the report of Olga Zrihen (Socialist, Belgium) on the regulation promoting sexual equality in development cooperation last week in Strasbourg. The EP endorsed the Council common position, which had voted all the first reading amendments - bar one. The amendment that the Council vetoed was regarding budget.: the Council, in agreement with the Commission, rejected the budget increase of 2 million euros requested by the EP (from 9 to 11 million for the 2004-2006 period), which MEPs finally accepted.
This regulation is designed to strengthen measures to promote sexual equality in EU development cooperation. The activities funded under this regulation, for a total of 9 million euros, are intended to act a catalyst to complete and bolster existing programmes and policies, by clearly marking out the place that women must play in them, Ms Zrihen adds in a press release. Welcoming the adoption of her report (that she had already raised on 8 March, International Women's' Day: see EUROPE 5 March p.17), Ms Zrihen states "It's at local level that the projects are going to be implemented. We will be able to support specific measures for access to services and resources intended for women virtually tomorrow - particularly in the areas of health, education and training - as well as the participation of women in the political decision making process. Other support activities, such as awareness campaigns, are also planned. These are not just words" she insists. "By strengthening the role of women in society in developing countries, we are helping them to establish their place in society. They will then be able to establish their own objectives, acquire skills, have greater confidence in their abilities (…) and become autonomous" she says.