The Congress’s Spokesperson on Gender Equality, Inger LINGE (Sweden, EPP/CCE), took part in the Conference on 'Women and local government' in Tunis on 26 September 2017. She presented the international legal framework supporting the political participation of women at local level and the Council of Europe's main standards in this area. Having been involved in local political life for some 40 years, Inger LINGE recognised that there had been a distinct improvement in the statistics on women's participation in Europe, especially in the Council of Europe's 47 member States. However, she added that, even though the statistical data pointed to advances in quantitative terms, attitudes had not progressed in the same way. The integration and representation of women in local public life will not happen only because of laws, she said. Changes are also needed in public policies on schooling, families and information. She emphasised the need in this connection to provide training enabling women to develop their skills. Looking ahead to the first local elections in Tunisia, to be held in 2018, she stressed the importance of creating conditions in which women could become involved in politics. In response to the addresses by the Minister for Women and Families and the Minister for the Environment and Local Affairs, she welcomed Tunisia's ambitious commitment to the participation of women, particularly in the light of the Constitution, electoral legislation and the draft Local Authorities Code.

Speech by Inger LINGE
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