Final Words on the International Conference
Empowering Women in Democratic Processes
Tiina Ilsen, Advisor on Gender Issues, ODIHR OSCE:
"At the first stage of work in Georgia, many organizations were getting together around grants, not around a topic they were interested in. We felt some sort of mistrust, just as if people did not believe that we are here with a serious and long-term goal.
By today, the majority has realized that women can get involved in serious business as much as men can. The understanding of this problem has changed. The democracy is generally built in the society where all its members, regardless of their gender, undertake responsibility equally. I think women became stronger and more self-confident. The conference touched important aspects of gender problems, such as the role of women in conflict resolution, peace building, cooperation within women’s movement, networking, tools and mechanisms, strengthening women in social-political life. The Coalition now plays the role of a partner of state structures and really does influence national politics. The cooperation of NGOs and state structures is exactly the main result of the conference."
What did the Conference guests say
Nino Burjanadze:
"Gender Equality is not only about Parliament Chairwoman"
Nino Burjanadze, Georgian Parliament Chairwoman participated in the first day of the Conference work. She greeted the participants from different countries, wished them successful and fruitful work and shared her opinion on gender problems with the media:
"Gender equality is not only about woman as a head of the parliament. I would like the idea of gender equality to be understood correctly, without being transformed into feminism. We need to do our best in order to have both women and men being equally represented at all levels. Regardless gender, people should be able to realize their potential, and our responsibility is to offer all necessary conditions for it. This means that, for example, that firing a good specialist only because she plans to take her maternity leave, is unacceptable. Every person needs to be actively involved into social life.
Under the initiative and active participation of the Coalition members, the Parliament’s Consultation Council and the State Commission on Gender Equality were created at the state level. I will be glad if as the result of the forum’s work the formation of recommendations on women’s role activation becomes possible. No doubt, that women should be presented in political and social life of the country. When studying gender problem, we also study the issue of quotas, that should be available for women in power.
I am among those women who believe that quotas are one of the instruments of discrimination. It is hard to make an exact formula enabling us to act in the way so that we do not discriminate the idea itself. I think we need to use more specific mechanisms, enabling both women and men to be involved in state management. I think many women can make it to parliament without quotas."
David Usupashvili:
"I would like Women to Make at Least Half of Party Members"
Women’s NGOs often raise a question of the necessity of inter-party quoting. The Conference guest, the Republican Party leader shares his opinion:
"Women party members should be working not only at gender issues; they should be actively involved in political processes as well. However, I think that this problem can not be solved through quotas. Woman needs to be active and willing to participate in the process. In our party, for only several months, the number of women increased by 10 % and reached 35 %. But it remains difficult to have gender balance, especially in the regions. We are interested in political success, but we do need women. I personally, would like women to make at least half of the party members."
Prepared by
Lali Nikolava
Photos by Galina Petriashvili
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