Women and Democracy
Women and Democracy, the Second Conference,
Reykjavik-Vilnius 2001, Minister's Speech
President of Lithuania,
President of Latvia,
Other distinguished guests.
"I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end," said former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, on one occasion.
I think these words apply to the struggle for equal rights. Women have been extremly patient, but in the belief that we would get our own way in the end.
The struggle for equal rights was a prominent feature of the last century, and women across the world passed important milestones. Numerous obstacles were removed, and a foundation laid for women's full participation in democracy. But even where equal rights have been achieved in the legal sense, it is clear that full equality of the sexes has not been achieved in the real sense. There is still a long way to go in many areas.
Two years ago, we met in Iceland at the Reykjavík Conference on Women and Democracy at the Dawn of the New Millennium sponsored by the Icelandic Government. We enjoyed support of many, not the least from Hilary Rodham Clinton, who has since been elected to the United States Senate, and the Vital Voices Global Partnership. We discussed the means of strengthening and increasing the participation of women in public life, in business as well as politics. This is obviously an essential aim for the future of democracy.
I want to use this opportunity to thank all of those who attended and supported the Reykjavik Conference, which was a great success. I had the honour of leading a workshop on "Developing Leadership Skills". In the course of the work of this as well as other workshops numerous ideas were proposed for projects which have since become a reality. It deserves mention that numerous companies and NGO}s participated actively in the Conference and have promoted projects launched in its wake.
Today we are gathered here in Vilnius to continue this work. Again my task is the workshop dealing with women and leadership, together with Melanne Verveer, Chair of the Board of Vital Voices. Among other things, we will have an opportunity to discuss the projects launched in the wake of the Reykjavík conference and evaluate the results of these projects. Melanne did a great job in Iceland and I know she will do the same for us here in Vilnius.
My workshop will discuss means to improve women}s leadership and to create an environment to increase the number of women selected for leadership roles in various aspects of society. Traditional attitudes to gender roles are among the obstacles facing women in the workplace and in politics. These obstacles are not only results of male attitudes, but also because of the self-image of women themselves. One of the projects launched following the Reykjavík Conference was a two-year effort promoted by the University of Iceland and supported by numerous companies, institutions and organisations. This project is intended to increase the proportion of women in fields of education which have traditionally been dominated by men.
Social conditions are also an important factor. Legislation should not prevent but promote opportunities for women. It should reconcile leadership roles in business or politics, on the one hand, and family life on the other. Following the Reykjavík Conference, the Icelandic government took the initiative in effecting profound changes in the existing legislation on parental leave. The new legislation ensures nine months of paid leave for parents following the birth of a child. It provides for three months for each parent, and three months that the parents can divide between themselves at their own discretion. The amended legislation strengthens the position of women on the labour market and encourages increased participation by men in the upbringing and care of children.
Overcoming the obstacles facing women requires self-confidence. Women have to discover their leadership qualities and how to develop them. One method to achieve this is through systematic leadership training, and several such projects were launched following the Reykjavík Conference. Among these projects was a leadership course for women in business held by the company Step by Step, which will be presented to the workshop, and a course in politics held by the Independence Party in Iceland under the heading "Make your presence felt, woman!"
Networking and mutual support is also very important. This conference that we are now starting represents an effort in that spirit. It was for example a source of great inspiration for me in the autumn of 1999 to attend the meeting of women Ministers of Justice in New York, organised by the Council of Women World Leaders. Following this event I had a personal meeting with Janet Reno, former US Attorney General which had a positive influence on the co-operation between the states in law enforcement. Furthermore, I would like to mention that the US Ambassador in Iceland, Ms. Barbara Griffiths who attends this Conference, has been very helpful and a vital link between the countries.
Dear friends,
There are numerous tasks ahead. We are here to gather ideas and to discuss means to achieve our goals. In the last century, women won numerous victories and succeeded in bringing about legislative reforms through their effective campaigning. The goal for the new century is full equality of the sexes – total victory for the benefit of both sexes.
We have been moving towards that goal. We have been patient because we will get our own way in the end.
Finally,
I would like to thank our friends in Lithuania for the great effort they have put into the preparations for this Conference in the beautiful city of Vilnius. This is an important event - both for women and for democracy.
Thank you