MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION OF WOMEN IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS
Support A1+!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.
