|
A delegation of
Polish women’s organizations met Commissioner Vladimir Špidla
on the 7th of April 2008 in Brussels. The women decided to meet
the Commissioner because of the lack of any
reaction from the Polish government
to the important postulates raised by Polish organizations. The postulates were drafted during a
series of conferences and meetings with participation of over a hundred
groups and organizations representing women.
Reacting to
the situation in Poland, the participants of the delegation asked
Commissioner Špidla to monitor and observe how the government of Poland
implements the European standards and recommendations with regard to gender
equality and opposing violence against women.
The Commissioner accepted the
postulates with understanding and informed the delegates that he is himself
concerned with the situation in Poland. He confirmed that social area is
one of primary concerns of the EU. The Commission realizes that Poland is
late with the implementation and some measures have already been undertaken
to oblige the Polish government to make more efforts for gender equality.
The Commission intends to oblige Poland to pass an act on equal treatment
of men and women as soon as possible and create monitoring mechanisms. Ignoring this requirement by Poland may result in a
case against Poland in the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.
Another issue raised by the Polish delegation concerned the access of women’s organizations
to financial means for the implementation of programs aiming at gender
equality and citizens’ education. The rule of Gender Mainstreaming is not
respected in Poland with reference to assigning European funds and the
share of women in using those funds is limited.
Possibilities of further cooperation between the Commissioner and Polish
women’s organizations were
discussed. Mr. Špidla accepted the invitation to visit Poland to meet
women’s organizations and continue the discussion.
The meeting in Brussels was organized
by Polish Women’s Lobby.
The participants of the meeting included:
|