Text
adopted by the Standing Committee, acting on behalf of
the Assembly, on 28 November 2008 (see Doc. 11760, report of the Committee on Equal Opportunities for
Women and Men, rapporteur: Mr Sigfússon).
Thesaurus
1. The Parliamentary
Assembly, drawing attention to its Resolution 1641 (2008) on involving men in achieving gender equality, considers
that the involvement of men is a prerequisite for achieving equality between
women and men. It therefore believes that public policies must not
only incorporate a gender perspective and counter stereotypes, but
must also include action that encourages men to participate.
2. The Assembly points out that the Council of Europe has a particular
responsibility for involving men in gender equality projects, promoting
balanced participation of women and men in public and political
life and thus furthering gender equality in Europe. The Assembly
welcomes the steps taken in this area by the Organisation, especially
as part of the Council of Europe Campaign to combat violence against
women, including domestic violence. It welcomes Committee of Ministers
Recommendation Rec(2007)17 on gender equality standards and mechanisms,
which acknowledges that “the full involvement of boys and men is decisive
and instrumental to achieve [the aim of equality between women and
men], which will have a positive impact on and bring added value
to the lives of both girls and boys, women and men”.
3. The Assembly also notes that Committee of Ministers Recommendation
Rec(2003)3 on balanced participation of women and men in political
and public decision making provides that “the representation of either
women or men in any decision-making body in political or public
life should not fall below 40%”.
4. The Assembly invites the Committee of Ministers to:
4.1 ensure men’s involvement in
its work and its action programmes, especially in sectors traditionally
reserved for women (social affairs, education, gender equality),
while ensuring that women have access to sectors traditionally reserved
for men;
4.2 check that member states implement Recommendation Rec(2003)3
as far as the functioning of its own bodies and Council of Europe
steering committees is concerned, with the aim of establishing a balance
between women and men by 2010 in the expert groups and committees
it sets up.
