19/09/2012 Equality and Non-Discrimination
Strasbourg, 13.09.2012 - “Political parties remain the main gate keepers for the participation of women in politics”, regretted the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination at its meeting in Tirana on 13 September 2012. It recommended political parties to introduce a minimum quota of 40 per cent of the under-represented sex in their executive decision-making bodies, invest in mentoring and training programmes and ensure that, during electoral campaigns, the broadcasting time allocated to the party would be proportionally shared by men and women candidates. The Committee also recommended Council of Europe member States to set up special financial allocations for political parties which take positive action to promote women’s representation or participation. Adopting a draft resolution based on a report on “Political parties and women’s political representation” by Maria Stavrositu (Romania, EPP/CD), the Committee recalled the decisive role of political parties in enhancing women’s political representation by complying with electoral legislation, introducing voluntary measures and promoting a change of culture conducive to gender equality in politics and in society. This text will be debated during the next PACE plenary session (Strasbourg, 1-5 October 2012).