17/11/2006: Following the adoption of the report on women in international politics during the EP plenary session, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou (EPP-ED, GR), spokesperson on the report for the Group, expressed her satisfaction regarding the unity and cooperation demonstrated by the EPP which enabled the deletion of elements undermining the timeless nature of the text, thus contributing to the adoption of a coherent and concrete report serving the promotion of justice and equality between women and men.
During her intervention in plenary, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou pointed out that the political representation of women at both national and international level still remains unsatisfactory despite the efforts that have been made since the international Conference on Gender Equality that took place in Beijing in 1995.
In this context, the MEP stressed the important role played by the European Parliament in reporting inequalities that still exist regarding the participation of women on the political scene.
Commenting on the report, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou reminded the House that a democratic society should ensure that women, who constitute more than half of the EU's population, are adequately represented at the higher levels of the State as well as in national and international administrations. However, she disagreed with the methods proposed by the rapporteur, Mrs Gomes (MEP-PSE) to achieve equality in politics and which included the establishment of quotas and the revision of national electoral systems and legislations.
In her argumentation, the MEP suggested that "quota policies do not generally profit women since they imply that women occupy political positions not because of their merit but because of their gender. Women's participation in the political life of a country is not only an issue of physical presence but also a matter of qualifications, professional training and active commitment. To this effect, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou believes that Member States should further sensitize their citizens and in particular young generations in order to achieve the objective of equal representation of men and women in the decision-making processes and the international scene. In addition, they should take all appropriate measures to provide training for both men and women, that could help contribute to the accomplishment of their political ambitions". Finally, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou stated that the lack of measures for the conciliation of family, private and professional life is a discouraging factor for women's participation in public and international life.
During her intervention in plenary, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou pointed out that the political representation of women at both national and international level still remains unsatisfactory despite the efforts that have been made since the international Conference on Gender Equality that took place in Beijing in 1995.
In this context, the MEP stressed the important role played by the European Parliament in reporting inequalities that still exist regarding the participation of women on the political scene.
Commenting on the report, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou reminded the House that a democratic society should ensure that women, who constitute more than half of the EU's population, are adequately represented at the higher levels of the State as well as in national and international administrations. However, she disagreed with the methods proposed by the rapporteur, Mrs Gomes (MEP-PSE) to achieve equality in politics and which included the establishment of quotas and the revision of national electoral systems and legislations.
In her argumentation, the MEP suggested that "quota policies do not generally profit women since they imply that women occupy political positions not because of their merit but because of their gender. Women's participation in the political life of a country is not only an issue of physical presence but also a matter of qualifications, professional training and active commitment. To this effect, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou believes that Member States should further sensitize their citizens and in particular young generations in order to achieve the objective of equal representation of men and women in the decision-making processes and the international scene. In addition, they should take all appropriate measures to provide training for both men and women, that could help contribute to the accomplishment of their political ambitions". Finally, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou stated that the lack of measures for the conciliation of family, private and professional life is a discouraging factor for women's participation in public and international life.
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