Ms
Anna Zaborska, President of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Comittee
of the European Parliament
Dear Ms Zaborska,
Acting on behalf of the member organisations of the Polish Women's Lobby
and other feminist groups, we are kindly asking you to undertake some
action within your power in connection with the duty of implementing into
Polish law the European regulations concerning equal treatment.
In 2005 the office of Government Equal Status Commissioner has been called
off and has not yet been restored.Women's groups have called for some
action from the Polish government and offered cooperation, but received no
attention at all.
The European Year of Equal Opportunities For All (2207) has made Polish
women expect the change of the unfavourable situation, but their
expectations have not been fulfilled. A good example is rejecting by the
Polish Government of the draft of the Equal Treatment Act and lack of
public debate on this subject.
Women organisations, taking an active part in the process of Poland joining
the European Union, have counted on the improving women's situation in
Poland in political, legal, economical and social aspects.
Our great determination is roused by the actions of the current Polish
Govemment, which disregards problems that we raise,avoids public debate and
does not provide political climate to realise women's rights in the context
of human rights.
We think that this situation fosters enforcement of various forms of
intolerance against women( religious fundamentalism) which consequently
means reduction of civil rights for women.
As we have exhausted all the possibilities of acting on the national level,
we are writing to you as the President of the Equal Rights and Gender
Committee with the request to act from the authority of the European
Parliament.
At the same time we declare our readiness to cooperate in terms of
information, documentation, actions undertaken in connection with this
issuee etc.
Relying on the support from You and the members of Your Committee, we are
looking forward to receiving Your help in making a positive change in the
field of equality policy in Poland.
Renata Berent-Mieszczanowicz
President of the Polish Women's Lobby
