Political, social and civic position of women in Europe
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate on 27th and 28th September 1967 (12th and 13th Sittings) (seeDoc. 2265 report of the Social Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 28th September 1967 (13th Sitting).
The Assembly,
1. Considering that, while the part played by women in society has always been of major importance, it nevertheless acquires a new aspect and significance when women's interests and activities extend beyond the close family circle in which they were for centuries confined ;
2. Considering that the present trend is bound to have repercussions in the moral, political, economic, social and legal fields ;
3. Considering that in recent years public opinion in Europe seems to have become acutely aware of the problems pertaining to the position of women in society, and noting the large number of studies, reports and events devoted to this subject ;
4. Considering that in recent years public opinion in Europe seems to have become acutely aware of the problems pertaining to the position of women in society, and noting the large number of studies, reports and events devoted to this subject ;
5. Considering moreover that the notions of equivalence, equality and non-discrimination between men and women are still far from being fully accepted, in particular by women themselves ;
6. Having regard to the report of the Social Committee (
Doc. 2265),
7. Notes :
a that in respect of the role of women in their public life :
b participation in elections seems satisfactory ;
c they are, however, under-represented in most elective functions and posts of political responsibility ;
d in spite of equal opportunity to enter the civil service, the number of women in senior civil service posts is small in almost all administrations ;
e that in respect of the role of women in professional life :
f a relatively high proportion are engaged in these sectors but the number is irregularly distributed according to age groups and family situation ;
g they are frequently concentrated in certain occupational branches ;
h a considerable proportion of women workers lack adequate vocational training ;
i despite equal qualifications, national legislation and international agreements, women do not always enjoy either equal pay or equal opportunities for promotion, above all in private enterprise ;
j legislation and regulations providing special protection for women who are employed outside the home may in some cases place women at a disadvantage by discouraging employers from engaging them ;
k that in respect of the legal status of married women it seems that legislation on the legal capacity of married women and on the matrimonial system and parental status has not been adapted, or at least not adequately, to changing circumstances ;
8. Considers that, to enable women to find their true place in society, their role should be clearly defined and accepted in the framework of a proper balance between their functions within and outside their families and that all levels of public opinion, especially young people, should be considerably better informed and educated in this respect ;
9. Hopes that the consequent change in ideas and attitudes will give women a real opportunity of holding political office and senior administrative posts which are in theory already open to them under national legislations ;
10. Urges that the social role of the mother should be fully recognised and all measures taken, particularly as far as family income, child care and nurseries are concerned, in order to allow her to engage in employment if she so chooses and, if she does, to provide the necessary means ;
11. Considers that action should be taken to provide vocational guidance and training for girls, as well as for older women wishing to take up or resume a career ;
12. Considers further that if, on the whole, protection for women workers can now be regarded as satisfactory, an overall improvement must henceforth be sought through a general betterment of the working conditions of all wage-earners, in particular by reducing hours of work, adjusting timetables and, if need be, introducing part-time working, bearing in mind recent progress in medical research concerning working positions ;
13. Considers it a matter of urgency to adapt the legal status of married women, and chiefly their matrimonial and parental status, to the changing place of women in society, and asks the Legal Committee to study this question ;
14. Asks its members to bear in mind the considerations and principles set out above when instituting action at national, parliamentary or other level ;
15. Asks the Economic Committee to consider the problems caused by professional activities exercised by women and their economic implications ;
16. Reserves the right to take up again in due course any aspect of the position of women in Europe.
