The 148 women MPs from 130 countries who participated in the Seventh Meeting of Women Parliamentarians at the 107th Conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which opened yesterday and is due to go on until 23 March at the Palais des Congrès of Marrakech, called for a pardon for Nigerian woman Safiya Husseini.
They recalled that the Inter-Parliamentary Union has consistently taken a stand against the application of the death penalty, and reaffirmed the principle of equality between men and women enshrined in international instruments on human rights and women’s rights. "This principle, which is strongly upheld by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, is the key concept of the Beijing Platform for Action that was adopted in 1995 by the Fourth World Conference on Women and subsequently signed by the Republic of Nigeria. We strongly protest against the death sentence handed down on Mrs. Safiya Husseini for adultery and exhort the authorities of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and those of the State of Sokoto to grant her pardon. We call upon the Parliament of the Republic of Nigeria to convey this urgent request to the authorities in question".
The Meeting of Woman Parliamentarians was chaired by Mrs. Badia Skali, a member of the Moroccan Chamber of Representatives. In the address she delivered following her appointment to the Chair, Mrs. Skali referred to "the status of women in Morocco and the introduction of a quota of 20 to 25% set aside for women in decision-making structures and at various levels of responsibility, which has led us to prepare a bill to be debated next week in Parliament in order to introduce the principle of a women’s share in representation at the legislative elections due to take place this year". She recalled the role of the Royal Commission set up by His Majesty the King with a view to a thorough recasting of the Family Code. The Commission has been operational for the past year and has received very clear guidelines from His Majesty in order to ensure that the texts are reviewed with due respect for the principles of equality enshrined in Islam, while taking full account of international human rights instruments".
She recalled that "the opportunities opened up by globalisation cannot be fully exploited unless women – who have a leading part on the world scene – play a key role in the economy, in politics, in society and in the family. Laws are needed to ensure that the costs and benefits accruing from the transformation of the world economic and social system are shared equitably."
The Acting President of the Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians, Mrs. Zury Rios-Montt (Guatemala), recalled that the purpose of the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians is to "promote and coordinate discussions of common interest between parliamentarians and pursue democracy by striving for equality between men and women in all fields, particularly in politics".
The President of the Moroccan Chamber of Representatives, Mr. Abdelwahed Radi, addressing the Meeting, stated that in today's world, women had to play a part in all aspects of social management, for the good of humankind. "You have an important role to play in supporting the cause of women throughout the world, be it in the political, economic, social, cultural or legal field. Your Meeting is tantamount to a “rehearsal” for the 107th Inter-Parliamentary Conference, because you will be examining the most important topics of the Conference, namely the role of women in international agreements, women’s participation in political life, the consequences of pollution and terrorism. You will be taking up the plight of children", stressed Mr. Radi. In conclusion, he emphasised "the efforts which H.M. King Mohamed VI and the Government have made to improve the status of women, politically as well as economically and socially".
The President of the Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Mrs. Najma Heptulla, who is also Deputy Chairperson of the Upper House of India, highlighted the issue of terrorism and the fact that "the main victims of terrorism, as of any other tragedy, are women. Not only do they lose their democratic rights as independent and equal citizens, but they are also subjected to the dogmas imposed by retrograde regimes". The President of the IPU Council also brought up economic globalisation, which "has not been sufficiently analysed from a gender perspective. The new economic order has certain social costs, particularly for the most needy. In the developing countries, there have been cuts in social spending".
Mrs. Nezha Chekrouni, Moroccan Minister-Delegate to the Minister of Employment, Vocational Training, Social Development and Solidarity in charge of the Advancement of Women, the Protection of the Family and Children and the Integration of Handicapped Persons, spoke of the struggle which Moroccan women were waging to promote their rights.
"Gender is not only a social matter but a core issue of democracy. Morocco’s struggle to build and strengthen a State based on the rule of law will not succeed if it overlooks the gender issue, which is fundamentally a political, economic and social issue".
Mrs. Chekrouni explained the strategy which has been introduced to combat violence against women. "The aim of this strategy is a change in the Code of Personal Status, which constitutes the basis for equality between the two sexes. Violence is a question which goes to the heart of the dignity of women, as well as affecting the family and children". She hoped "to see men join forces with us, because we believe that equality can be achieved only through a partnership between men and women to combat inequalities, exclusion and marginalisation. We are joining forces to create awareness and change the law, particularly provisions concerning the Penal Code".
The Meeting of Women Parliamentarians prepared draft resolutions on three topics for referral to the 107th Conference:
- Promoting women’s involvement and a gender perspective in multilateral negotiations
- Impact of the environmental degradation on women and children
- Role of women parliamentarians in averting national and international terrorism and building peace
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