 “Promoting
equality between women and men must be at the heart of everything we do,”
asserted Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland. "We cannot
achieve democracy and lasting peace unless women acquire the same opportunities
as men to influence developments at all levels of society," he said.
This week the
Council of Europe is looking at the role of women in the Arab Spring and
involving key female figures and activists from the region. Women were involved
at every stage of the movements for change and took a stand in the interest of
civil society across the region.
“It is important
for all of us to recognise the contribution of women in driving progress and
reform, and it is essential that women’s voices are now heard in building new
Arab societies, and in fighting discrimination and stereotypes. If women are
again left out, the promising Arab Spring could become a new winter," Thorbjørn
Jagland warned.
For more information see: www.coe.int / www.coe.ge |
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A
political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to promote
democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops common responses to
social, cultural and legal challenges in its 47 member states.