Speaking at the 9th Plenary Session of the Assembly of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) in Giza, Egypt, on 21 February 2018, Congress President Gudrun Mosler-Törnström highlighted the importance of co-operation frameworks such as the ARLEM for bringing in the spotlight major challenges facing local and regional authorities on both shores of the Mediterranean. “The Mediterranean Sea should be seen as a bridge bringing us together, a basin for fruitful exchanges between people on its shores”, she added, recalling the creation last year of the Congress’ South-Med Partnership programme. Following the presentation of a report on “Women's empowerment in the Mediterranean region”, she stressed the significant role played by women in the uprising wave in southern Mediterranean countries from 2011 who “called on for more democracy and social justice, for fair and open systems that would respect and enact their rights within the society”. Building upon the good example of the Congress’ internal rules allowing for a fair representation of women within the national delegations, she added that “we need to finally start appreciating women’s “added value”, which concerns all aspects of life”. “The obstacles to their participation are not only political”, she added, and “a profound change in mentalities and cultures, rooted in centuries of tradition, is necessary”. Women can be key to better balanced societies, also helping in the prevention of extremist ideologies and countering radicalisation through their role as mothers, wives and sisters. “The integration of women into society is a long and challenging process that will require strong commitment from all actors, including local authorities,” she concluded.
News 2018
