Involving men in achieving gender equality

Reply to Recommendation | Doc. 12033 | 29 September 2009

Author(s):

Committee of Ministers

Origin

adopted at the 1066th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies (23 September 2009) 2009 - Fourth part-session

Reply to Recommendation

: Recommendation 1853 (2008)

Thesaurus

1. The Committee of Ministers has taken note of Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1853 (2008) on “Involving men in achieving gender equality” and has brought it to the attention of member states’ governments. It has also transmitted the recommendation to the Steering Committee for Equality between Women and Men (CDEG).

2. The Council of Europe has played a pioneer role in the field of equality between women and men, the main principles of which were established as early as November 1988 in the Committee of Ministers’ Declaration on Equality between Women and Men. As the Council of Europe is celebrating its 60th anniversary, the Committee of Ministers has strongly reaffirmed these principles by adopting the Declaration “Making gender equality a reality”, at its 119th Session held on 12 May 2009 in Madrid.

3. The Committee of Ministers is therefore aware of the responsibility of the Council of Europe to develop a policy of equal opportunities in its Secretariat and to ensure a balanced representation of both sexes (not less than 40% according to Recommendation Rec(2003)3 on balanced participation of women and men in political and public decision making) in its steering committees and other bodies. It considers the involvement of men in equality between women and men as an essential element of the success of this policy.

4. In this context, the Committee of Ministers recognises the importance of the implementation of its Recommendation Rec(2003)3 as well as Recommendation Rec (81) 6 which already concerned the fair proportion of participation by women and men in committees and other organs established in the framework of the Council of Europe. The Committee of Ministers recalled these principles on the occasion of the thematic exchange of views on the action of the Council of Europe to promote equality between women and men in November 2008 (CM/Del/Dec(2008)1040/1.5), and encouraged member states to strive to establish more balanced lists of applicants between women and men at the time of the selection process for the various organs, bodies and committees of the Council of Europe. For further information about all of the decisions taken on this occasion, the Committee of Ministers invites the Assembly to refer to its reply to Recommendation 1819 (2007). [(1) https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?id=1367317&Site=CM]

5. The Committee of Ministers also recalls its request to the Secretary General to draw up a report on the state of equality between women and men at the Council of Europe. This report will be an excellent indicator of the situation and allow consideration of ad hoc measures to be taken as necessary.