Doc. 10604

21 June 2005

Men's involvement in equality projects

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Branger and others

1.        Throughout the world, including Council of Europe member states, women face discrimination based on their gender.

2.        Some men who have become aware of the unequal relations between the sexes are helping women to combat discrimination. Gender equality is nevertheless still regarded by a majority of society as a women's problem. But a concept of the promotion of equality has taken shape at international level since the 1995 World Conference on Women, in Beijing: the emphasis previously placed on the advancement of women has now shifted to equality between the sexes. This therefore entails active participation by men in the creation of the said equality, which is beneficial to society as a whole.

3.        It is therefore necessary to promote men's involvement in projects intended to ensure equal opportunities for women and men.

4.        This does not mean that male representatives must henceforth at any price, and without any distinction, be included in those institutions which are fighting against inequality, for some people are afraid that such representatives strive to impose their vision of what equality should be. Discussion is necessary to avoid any risk of misunderstanding or of misuse of authority by certain men tempted to take over projects fostering equality for women.

5.        In any case, men's involvement is now on the agenda when subjects such as reproductive health, the family, work and the economy, and inter-personal violence are under discussion.

6.        The Assembly feels sure that men have a very important role to play in this social issue. It is convinced that men must play a part in the move towards an egalitarian society. The Assembly is ready to consider ways of achieving this objective.

7.        To this end, the Assembly urges the governments of member states to set up programmes intended to encourage men to join in with equality projects and, at their own initiative, to develop programmes promoting equality. In this field, the education of both young people and adults has a vital role to play.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed ¹:

BRANGER, Jean-Guy, France, EPP/CD

AGRAMUNT, Pedro, Spain, EPP/CD

ANTTILA, Sirkka-Liisa, Finland, LDR

AUSTIN, John, United Kingdom, SOC

BARGETZE, Rony, Liechtenstein, NR

BARGHOLTZ, Helena, Sweden, LDR

CLIVETI, Minodora, Romania, SOC

DAMANAKI, Maria, Greece, SOC

ERTSBORN, Jan, Sweden, LDR

FERNÁNDEZ AGUILAR, Adolfo, Spain, EPP/CD

GEVEAUX, Jean-Marie, France, EPP/CD

GOLDBERG, Pierre, France, UEL

GROSS, Andreas, Switzerland, SOC

GÜLÇIÇEK, Ali Riza, Turkey, SOC

JÁUREGUI, Ramón, Spain, SOC

JUDD, Frank, United Kingdom, SOC

KAIKKONEN, Antti, Finland, LDR

KOSACHEV, Konstantin, Russia, EDG

LETICA, Slaven, Croatia, EPP/CD

NAGHDALYAN, Hermine, Armenia, LDR

NEGELE, Gebhard, Liechtenstein, NR

OSKINA, Vera, Russia, EDG

PAPADIMITRIOU, Elsa, Greece, EPP/CD

RANDEGGER, Johannes, Switzerland, LDR

RINGSTAD, Jorunn, Norway, LDR

SCHNEIDER, André, France, EPP/CD

SCHREINER, Bernard, France, EPP/CD

SKARPHÉÐINSSON, Össur, Iceland, SOC

STĂNOIU, Rodica Mihaela, Romania, SOC

STREB-HESSE, Rita, Germany, SOC

TKÁČ, Vojtech, Slovakia, SOC

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group