Michelle Bachelet, the Executive Director of UN Women, has told over 600 lawmakers gathered at the Atlapa Convention Centre in Panama City for the 124th IPU Assembly in Panama that "Women's participation in politics is a prerequisite for their empowerment and essential for real democracy".
"I realize that great progress is being made through gender-sensitive budgeting and new strategies such as reports on the gender impact of the laws that are being put in place in many countries", she added, but conceded that although "we have made significant advances in the past few decades, progress is painfully slow".
Ms. Bachelet spoke of events earlier in the year in certain North African countries. "These movements have been characterized mainly by popular protests, the very visible participation of women and the use of new technologies and social networks for organization and support. This has been the case in Tunisia and Egypt, resulting in transitional governments."
"I was pleased to learn this week that the High Commission for the Realization of the Objectives of the Revolution in Tunisia has approved the Election Code for elections to the Constituent Assembly on 24 July based on the principles of parity and alternance, i.e. 50% women and 50% men. This is a major achievement for which we congratulate and applaud the Tunisian people", stated Ms. Bachelet.
The day before, over 180 women from 120 countries (29% of delegates) attended the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians, presided over by Ms. Dana D. Castañeda, Deputy Speaker of the Host Parliament.
"It is time for all societies to reaffirm the political leadership of women. Their best assets are knowledge, the ability to predict and understand people, and to manage and enhance processes of change", stated Ms. Castañeda, adding "women of this Assembly and of the world, the time to be a leader is now".
Ms. Castañeda indicated that political parties played a prominent role in society, and "it was therefore important to fight for the equal participation of women in all spheres. Campaign funding has been identified as a key element for striking a better balance between the sexes in holding elected office".
IPU President Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, on launching the report on Gender-sensitive parliaments, said, "I am extremely pleased that the IPU is paying great attention to the gender-sensitivity of parliaments and the means of transforming our institutions into places where both men and women are equal and can work in partnership for our societies and the future of our boys and girls".
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