In the official opening session, Ms. Delphine Borione, the Senior Deputy Secretary General of the UfM, stressed the importance of women participation in the economic dimension, as well as in the decision making process. It is fundamental, she said, that women are considered as a resource to face the current society challenges: they could play the role of mediators in the elimination of terrorism or be the driving force for integration in the migration crisis. The other panellists underlined that gender equality is not simply a basic human rights or a mere question of justice, but that it is a legal duty, a security issue, as well as a question of ethics, but mostly it is a matter of pragmatism. Women can definitely contribute to change the world.
The report attached was prepared following the request formulated by the UfM Paris Ministerial Declaration on Strengthening the role of women in society. The request was « to establish an effective follow-up mechanism as a Euro-Mediterranean forum and to ensure an effective dialogue on women-related policies, legislation and implementation. Ministers have mandated senior officials/ experts to review progress in translating the Ministerial commitments into law, policy and practice and implementing the measures contained in the Paris conclusions and to provide a report to UfM Senior Officials taking into account consultations with civil society organisations ».
Women Empowerment UfM Regional Dialogue Progress report_Short Version_Dec 2016 (2).pdf
You can have access to the Conference pictures in the following Flickr link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ufms/sets/72157675059685515
