Women’s Day 2011: A decade to end inequality

“We must use the second decade of the 21st century to make equality between men and women a reality,” said Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland, in celebration of Women’s Day on 8 March.

“Equality in professional and political life is essential to equality and respect in the private sphere.”

The Secretary General stressed the need for equal pay for work of equal value and the increased political participation of women.

“Every effort must be made to ensure equal remuneration,” he said. “Difference in pay between men and women for work of equal value cannot be justified. The basic fabric of our societies is supported by professional activity. Inequality is unjust and something we can no longer accept.”

A Council of Europe’s study shows that between 2005 and 2008 the percentage of elected women in single or lower houses in Europe rose from 21.8 % to 23.7 %.

“Given the importance of political life in defining the priorities and direction of our societies, we need to hear the voices and opinions of women. Women must have an equal presence in politics,” the Secretary General insisted.

Jagland also called on governments to give their full backing to the Council of Europe’s future convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

This will be the first legally binding text which establishes the principle that violence against women and domestic violence constitutes a violation of human rights and that it should not be regarded as a private matter. The convention, which will soon be opened for signature, provides governments with the measures to combat violence through a combination of prevention, protection, prosecution and integrated policies.

The Essential

Information: CoE Equality Division

Webfiles: Gender Equality & Women’s Day

Focus: The Gender Wage Gap

Research: Parity democracy – a far cry from reality

ECHR Factsheets: Violence Against Women; Reproductive Rights

Interviews: Anke Trischler, Sara Paz & Artemis Konstantinidi

Campaign: Stop Domestic Violence

Podcast: Is Feminism Now A Man’s Best Friend

Podcast: Are Men Victims Of New Female-Friendly Justice?

Video: Viewpoint - New Century, Old Problems?

News: How to give girls a better education

News: Divorce in the Netherlands

News: Gender expert – Forty percent of our political representatives should be women

News: Profile - Naema Tahir

News: Feminism’s global challenge

Photo: Sara Paz (Spain) & Artemis Konstantinidi (Greece) – Twitpic