>< Cl) .! i ..:s>< .Q Editorial A Flower for the MilJmen of Kabul • .... • •••••••••••••••••• • ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• i:: The turn of the century is full of promise! Within he postcard below is part of a campaign A Flower for the U'Omen of Kabul, • the next few years, at least two new developments in instigated by the European Parliament and supported by Emma Bonino, EU law will come into force strengthening the princi­ Tthe European Commissioner responsible for humanitarian affairs. This year's ple of equal opportunities. Last December the Coun­ International Women's Day on 8 March will be dedicated to the women of Kab­ cil adopted a directive concerning the burden of ul, whose rights have been systematically violated since the Taliban Islamic proof in sex discrimination cases, as well as agreeing regime took control of the city in September 1996. that the principle of non-discrimination for part-time workers be transposed into EU law. Both decisions The plan to put the spotlight on the crisis in Afghanistan and to support the signal a heightened political consciousness concern­ plight of women in Kabul was set in motion campaign which will culminate on 8 ing equal opportunities but let's be realistic, much re­ by Commissioner Bonino on her return March. Organising committees have also mains to be done. For this reason it is vital that the from a visit to EU-funded humanitarian been set up in the Member States. current momentum is sustained and built upon. projects in Afghanistan in September 1997. Whilst visiting Kabul's only hospital open to The situation of Afghan women In the short term, the UK Presidency, whose task won1.en, she was arrested and held in deten­ tion for over three hours by the Taliban re­ Before the Taliban regime took power (it it is to guide the IS Member States through the de­ ligious forces. Women can only seek treat­ now controls two-thirds of the country), cisions of the next few months, has chosen the fight ment at hospitals and clinics that have sepa­ Afghan women, especially those living in against unemployment as one of its central aims. rate wards and female staff and, at the time the main cities, were actively involved at all Thanks to the guidelines agreed at the Luxembourg of her visit, this was the only such place levels of public life as students, professionals Summit last November, equality of opportunity be­ available, despite the fact that it had few (teachers, midwives, doctors), civil servants tween women and men is assured a place at the beds and no water or electricity. After inter­ and members of Parliament. heart of any new measures proposed. It remains to national pressure, more hospitals have now be seen to what extent this political volition will be been made available for women. However, since the arrival of the Taliban translated into tangible differences for women look­ regime, women have been banned from ing for work and those seeking to reconcile work On her return, Emma Bonino backed the work and education. They have to wear the and family life. However, European governments have European Parliament's call for International all-concealing cloaks called chadari and are at least committed themselves to putting these fac­ Women's Day to be used as a platform to not allowed go out alone or speak in public. tors on the agenda. • mobilise international public opinion on • the flagrant denial of rights of the women of According to ECHO, tens of thousands of Another topic firmly on the political agenda is the : Kabul. women in Kabul, denied the right to earn a situation of women in Afghanistan. The women of • living, now rely on humanitarian aid for Kabul have been chosen as the focus and symbol of • The European Parliament Committee on survival. But even here there are difficulties this year's International Women's Day on March 8th, • Women's Rights reiterated its support for because this aid cannot be delivered to them for they represent the most tangible example of • this proposal. A special task force has now directly due to restrictions on contacts with women whose rights are being violated. Prior to the : been created within ECHO (European women. This is causing serious concern Taliban regime taking controi,Afghan women enjoyed • Community Humanitarian Office) to raise among NGOs and international relief or­ an emancipated lifestyle and were active in all areas • public awareness about the humanitarian ganisations working on the ground. of public life. However, almost overnight their status • • • changed and they have now been excluded from pub- • lie life, allowed neither to go out alone or to speak in • public, and have been reduced to relying on male rei- • atives and humanitarian aid for survival. • • Women of Kabul are by no means the only exam- : pie of women whose rights are currently being vio- • lated, although their plight is particularly shocking in • its severity. My thoughts turn to the women in Alge- • ria and the many thousands of women throughout • the world, whose circumstances transcend geogra- : phy, race and religion and who are struggling to main- • tain their dignity and to gain - or regain - basic human • rights in the face of oppression or economic difficul- • ties. e • • • • • • Ana Paula Laissy • Head of Section - Information for Women • • • • Campaign postcard International Women's Day - March 8, 1998 • Photo: Courteay AP Photo/Santla•o Lyon 0 • • • • fJJoffzen o/ t urOfe newsletter • • •Ill • • • • I Survey results show racism in Europe to be high •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• he need for continuing action to com bat racism at EU level was rein­ forced following the publication of an EU-wide survey of over 16,ooo peo­ Tple which revealed that one in three European U nion citizens openly de­ scribed themselves as "quite racist" or "very racist" . This Eurobarom eter survey was presented by the European Commission at the closing conference of the 1997 European Year Against Racism held in Luxembo urg in December 1997. As part of the Year, a total of 3.2 million ECU was aw arded to 177 anti-racist pro­ jects.

The survey's "shocking statistics", said The Member Sates with the lowest number Padraig Flynn, the European Commissioner of people who considered themselves as responsible for social affairs, confirm the "very racist" were Spain and Ireland (4% European Commissioner Emma Bonino need for continued EU action. As the next each), Portugal (3%) and Luxembourg and step, he said, the Commission will be Sweden (2% each). lau?ching a new action plan to combat racism. Dissatisfaction with their life circum­ stances, fear of unemployment, insecurity The situation has been compared by In a declaration issued the same week, the about the future and low confidence in the ECHO officials to apartheid in South Africa EU Council of Ministers also stated their way public authorities and the political es­ before the reforms there. "Women and girls support for continued action to combat tablishment worked in their country were are victims of a regime that segregates them racism and xenophobia in order "to achieve the main characteristics of those who put by law. We face apartheid based on gender the ideal of a Union founded on respect for themselves at the top of the racist scale. by which Afghan women are deprived of other people and on tolerance". Education There were no significant differences be­ their right to choose how to live.( ... ) They was identified as important so as to gain tween women and men respondents, or be­ are victims of an oppressive, repressive "from earliest childhood" a "greater under­ tween cities and rural areas, despite the low­ regime." standing of and respect for other people". er presence of minorities in rural communi­ ties. Human Rights= Women's Rights • The reach of racism The survey illustrates the complexity of The campaign coincides with the 50th The three Member States that topped the the phenomenon of racism, with feelings of anniversary of the United Nations Univer­ racist scale were Belgium, France and Aus­ racism co-existing alongside strong beliefs sal Declaration of Human Rights signed in tria with 22% of Belgians, 16% of French in the democratic system and respect for 1948. This declaration guarantees human and 14% of Austrians openly stating they fundamental and social rights and freedoms. rights and lays down the principle of equal were "very racist". When the "quite racist" A majority of respondents agreed society rights for women and men. The United Na­ responses were added to the "very racist" should be inclusive and offer equal rights to tions Convention on the Elimination of all ones, the total reached for these three coun­ all citizens, including immigrants and mem­ forms of Discrimination against Women tries was 55%, 48% and 42%, respectively. bers of minority groups. • (CEDAVV) which followed, restated that the human rights of women and the girl-child are an inalienable, integral and indivisible Degree of racism expressed part of universal human rights. More re­ cently, the Vienna and Beijing Declarations, (by Member 100% upheld by the EU and Member States, reit­ State, in erated this. percents, non 90% responses The women of Kabul symbolise an "ex­ excluded) treme example of discrimination," accord­ 80% ing to ECHO. They are a "metaphor for all those places in which internationally recog­ • % Very racist 70% nised rights are being violated". • • % Quite racist For further information, contact: • 60% ECHO • • % A little Rue Belllard 232 • racist • 50% B-1040 Brussels • Fax: (32.2) 295 45 44 • %Not at all E-mail: [email protected] • racist 40% A special website has been set up fo r International • • 30% Women~ Day 1998: • http:/ I europa.eu.intjwomensday • • 20% • • 10% • • f" 0% B OK 0 GR E F IRL L NL A P FIN S UK EU15

Eurobaromete r 47.1· Spring 1997

~ ...... February 1998 • n• 77

Rounding off the old year, ringing in the new ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

he last weeks of 1997 saw the adoption of two pieces of EU legislation embrace five Central and Eastern European with implications for working women. The first is a directive designed to countries and Cyprus. Tadjust the burden of proof in sex discrimination cases. The second enshrines in EU law the June 1997 agreement between European employer and trade EU leaders also approved the Commis­ union organisations guaranteeing equal treatment for part-time workers. The sion's plan called Agenda 2000 (see Newslet­ December Luxembourg Summit of EU heads of state gave the go ahead for the ter No 74) dealing with the future develop­ opening of negotiations for the enlargement of the Union. This will be one of ment of the Union's policies and its finan­ the main priorities of the UK government during its six-month Presidency of cial framework to meet the challenges of the the EU ijanuary to June 1998) along with commitments to promote jobs. 21st century and of enlargement.

A declaration was adopted to mark the New rules make equality action EU law the agreement reached last year be­ 50th anniversary of the Universal Declara­ easier tween the European employer and trade tion of Human Rights - 1998 has been de­ union organisations establishing the prin­ clared International Human Rights Year. Taking employers to court for alleged dis­ ciple of non-discrimination for part­ crimination based on a person's sex will be time workers, the majority of whom are Britain takes the helm made easier as from 1 January 2001, the date w01nen. on which the new EU directive on the The UK took over the six-month rotat­ burden of proof, agreed by EU Social Af­ The agreement aims to ensure that part­ ing Presidency of the EU in January with a fairs Ministers in December, comes into ef­ time workers are treated on an equal foot­ promise "to show the people of Europe that fect. ing with their full-time colleagues in terms the Union is working for them in practical of pay, holiday and sickness benefits and ways". It said it hopes to do this by fighting Under the new law, once a person can es­ have the same access to company organised unemployment and crime and contributing tablish facts from which a court can pre­ schemes. Member States were given two to a healthier environment and a better sume that there has been direct or indirect years to transpose the provisions of quality of life. discrimination, the burden will fall on the the directive into national legisla- employer to prove that there has been no tion or into collective agree­ An informal meeting of breach of the principle of equal treatment ments. ministers responsible for between women and men. women's affairs is UK falls in line scheduled for May With the adoption of this directive, the to look at concept of indirect discrimination is also At the meet­ won1en's em- defined for the first time in EU legislation. ing, the first steps ployment and This is said to exist when "an apparently were taken to in­ how EU policies neutral provision, criterion or practice dis­ troduce into the can facilitate advantages a substantially higher proportion UK a number of combining work of the members of one sex unless that pro­ social laws that cur­ and family re­ vision, criterion or practice is appropriate rently apply to the sponsibilities. and necessary and can be justifted by objec­ other Member tive factors unrelated to sex". States. The first such The UK is fo­ provtswn concerns cusing its efforts MEP Fiorella Ghilardotti (PSE, Italy), the 1997 parental leave on young people who drew up the European Parliament's re­ directive. By spring this throughout its Presi­ port and many of the amendments on the year, it is expected that sim- dency. Its logo reflects proposed law, criticised the new directive. ilar extensions will be agreed this emphasis, consisting of Speaking to the Women if Europe Newsletter, concerning the burden of proof 15 stars, designed by children she said as it stood, the new directive did not and the part-time work directives. from across the EU, each repre­ add to existing EU case law in the field. She The UK was previously excluded from the senting one of the EU Member States. • fears the definition given of indirect dis­ provisions of these directives because of the crimination will make it easier for employ­ opt-out clause it had negotiated for itself ers to use "economic reasons" to justifY dis­ from the Maastricht Treaty's social protocol. criminatory practices and predicted that the This protocol was incorporated in the 1997 Th e logo can be seen in more detail 011 th e directive will be quickly overtaken by Euro­ Amsterdam Treaty following the change of UK Presidency website: pean Court ofJustice (ECJ) case law or be a government in the UK. http:/ jpresid.fco.gov.uk cause for further litigation. Luxembourg makes history In a joint statement, the European Women 5 Lobby and the European Trade Union Confed­ According to the conclusions of the Lux­ eration were also critical of the new law for embourg Presidency, the bi-annual summit failing to give a stronger definition of indi­ ofEU heads of state, held in Luxembourg in rect discrimination. December, marked a moment of "historic significance for the future of the Union and Rights of part-time workers in law ofEurope as a whole".There, a decision was taken to officially launch the process of en­ EU Social Affairs Ministers also approved largement of the European Union so as to a Commission proposal to transpose into •

...... ~ ...... ,.~ c Iii CID 0 ...0 n"'z • More babies and divorce, fewer • Court defends part-time worker's development cooperation act1v1t1es and marriages • rights agreements, she said. In its resolution, Parlia­ • ment supported her call for the creation of Over four million babies were born in the In a recent ruling, the European Court of a senior-level steering group to fix perfor­ European Union in 1996 compared to just Justice backed the case of part-time worker mance objectives, advise on implementation under four million in 1995, according to a Brigitte Kording against the city of Bre­ and monitor progress. It also wanted EU report by Eurostat 1 , the EU statistics office. men's finance department. Brigitte Kording funds to be used to strengthen legal and ad­ After years of decline, due mainly to post­ wanted to become an independent tax con­ ministrative provisions in developing coun­ poned motherhood and increasing child­ sultant and asked her employer for a refer­ tries so as to ensure women and men have lessness, the EU's total fertility rate (average ence stating she was exempt from the en­ equal rights. Major gaps between women number of live births per woman) stopped trance exam because of her years of experi­ and men particularly concerned access to falling in 1996. In that year, 1.44 babies per ence. Her employer agreed that she met the resources and services as well as participa­ woman were recorded against 1.43 in 1995, criteria for entrance into the profession but tion in the decision-making processes in the lowest in the post-war period. Eurostat argued that the fact she had worked part­ political, economic and social life. • also revealed that life expectancy reached an time meant she had not fulfilled the mini­ all-time high of 80.5 years for women and mum 15 full years required for exemption. Guide for working women on the 7 4 years for men. In its judgement, the Court said this provi­ move sion put part-time workers in a less In a separate report 2 , Eurostat noted an favourable position than their full-time Femmes vers l'emploi is a guide aiming to EU-wide decline in the number of mar­ counterparts. As 92.4% of civil servants facilitate the professional mobility of riages from nearly eight per 1,000 inhabi­ working part-time in Bremen's finance de­ women seeking to move to or work in the tants in the early 1970s to just 5.1 per 1,000 partment were women, the rule was tanta­ four Member States of Spain, France, in 1995. The biggest falls were in Ireland mount to discrimination and was contrary Greece and Itay. The guide is published by (7.3 to 4.4), Finland (7.9 to 4.6), the to the 1976 equal treatment directive. • the CNIDFF, the French national centre for Netherlands (8.7 to 5.3) and France (7.8 to information and documentation for women 4.4). Divorce was also at a record high. Of C-100/95 and families, with the support of the EU Europeans married in 1960, 14% ended in Brigitte Kording v Senator fiir Finanzen Employment Initiative. It provides practical divorce, rising to 22% for those who mar­ information on residency conditions, lan­ ried in the 1970s and 27% in the 1980s. A copy of this ruli11g can be downloaded from the guage learning, access to training, job-seek­ Marriages are most at risk in Belgium and Europear1 Court ofjustice's internet site: ing, resources and the institutional set up in Sweden where more than half of couples http:/jwww.curia.eu.lnt each of the countries. It also contains factu­ divorce and most stable in Italy where di­ al information on free movement within vorce affects less than one in 10 couples. The the EU, measures to support mobility and report warned that traditional statistics on Integrating gender in development equal opportunities and the conditions re­ marriage and divorce are an increasingly in­ cooperation quired to obtain unemployment benefits in adequate measure of social trends because these four Member States. • more women and men are living together Even when "they share bed and board", and not marrying and are therefore not cov­ women and men in developing countries Femmes vers l'emploi is available ered by these statistics. • "still inhabit different worlds," according to free of charge from: MEP Karin Junker (PSE, Germany), report­ CNIDFF 1 Eurostat Statistics in focus, ing on a Commission proposal for a Coun­ 7, rue du Jura Population and social conditions cil Regulation on integrating gender into F-75013 Paris No 10/97, Decline in births halted in 1996- development cooperation. Although she Tel.: (33.1) 42 17 12 34- Fax: (33.1) 43 3115 81 Principal demographic trends in 1996 welcomed the proposal as "an important E-mail: cnidff@club·internet.fr step in the right direction" she said it did 2 Eurostat Statistics In focus, not go far enough. The Commission should Population and social conditions take steps to ensure the principle of main­ No 14/97, About one marriage in four streaming is fully incorporated into all its in the EU ends in divorce

Sakharov Prize awarded to Algerian journalist

Algerian journalist and human rights campaigner, Salima Ghezali, was awarded the 1997 European Parliament Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Salima Ghezali has continually criticised both the Algerian government and Islamic parties and groups for their abuses of freedom of expression and human and women's rights. She has called for a proper investigation in­ to the assassinations of scores of Algerian journalists and she herself has been arrested on various occasions because of her articles. The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was created by the European Par­ liament in 1985 as a tribute to Andrei Sakharov. Previous woman prizewinners in­ clude Aung San Suu Kyi (1990), the Moth­ ers of the Plaza del Mayo (1992), Taslima Nasreen (1994) and Leyla Zana (1995). • Salima Ghezall receiving the Sakharov Prize