Women parliamentarians are striving for a greater role in addressing the common challenges facing the Mediterranean region. Reem Leila attended a conference which took the issue on A great deal of evidence from around the world indicates that gender inequalities undermine the effectiveness of development policies in fundamental ways. Representatives of 16 Mediterranean countries which participated in a three- day regional conference under the auspices and presence of Mrs Suzanne Mubarak, president of the National Council for Women (NCW), highlighted such concerns. Under the umbrella of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean Regional Conference, which took place on 20 February, the gathering was held under the title "Women Parliamentarians as Active Agents of Development". The conference was attended by Speaker of the People's Assembly Fathi Sorour, Speaker of the Shura Council Safwat El-Sherif, NCW Secretary- General Farkhonda Hassan, Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Jozefina Topalli, and First Vice-President of the Czech Senate Alena Gajduskova. Egypt's female parliamentarians were also in attendance. The conference was held at Egypt's National Council for Women (NCW). In her address at the opening of the conference, Mrs Mubarak said the conference aimed at boosting constructive dialogue on issues of development and the role of women in society. It would discuss the challenges facing the Mediterranean countries and tackle cooperation and integration and the effective role of women parliamentarians in this respect. "As a developing nation, Egypt is keen on discussing the role of women and the successful experiences in addressing humanitarian, health and food challenges," Mrs Mubarak said. The conference is, therefore, a step on the way of a real partnership for prosperity and security in the Mediterranean region and boosts political dialogue among women parliamentarians. In fact, they have a role in pushing the development process forward given their participation in decision-making. "In Egypt, many achievements have been realised to activate the role of women in development, maintain rights of children, and settle family disputes," Mrs Mubarak stated. Women's participation in decision-making processes constitutes a prerequisite and a fundamental value for democratic governance. "This value needs to be safeguarded and implemented in the countries of the Mediterranean region," Mrs Mubarak said. She said peace continues to be critical and a cross-cutting topic, "whether we are discussing climate change, financial and food crises, and enhancing economic equality and environmental sustainability. The absence of peace is being felt all around us by those who face the devastation of wars, the anguish of poverty and the brutality of abuse." It was essential, according to Mrs Mubarak, that through various campaigns and capacity- building programmes, the government and society would help raise awareness about women's rights, to eliminate discrimination against women and advance the implementation of international instruments such as United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. In times of crises, it is women who act as the life suppliers for their societies, the social safety nets, the economic shock absorbers. One of the greatest obstacles to women's empowerment and their participation in building peace is their vulnerability to violence and exploitation. According to Mrs Mubarak, women are usually more concerned with the human face of developmental challenges. They are also more in tune with the needs of their communities. The conference provided a forum for women parliamentarians from the Mediterranean region to conduct discussions highlighting their ability to influence politics and policies for more holistic, human-based development. According to Hassan, the NCW's secretary-general, the conference also allocated a forum to share experiences and to propose innovative, adaptable policy framework recommendations on some key thematic areas of development as related to climate change. Climate change will have a series of effects particularly on agriculture and water management which may intensify food insecurity and increase competition for scarce water resources. Climate change may hinder economic growth, therefore worsening poverty and social instability. "There is a need to directly discuss the inter- relatedness of these issues and how they will impact those already at a disadvantage. Women's economic, social and cultural roles place them at a disadvantage," Hassan stated. The impact of climate change on human security in general, and on the vulnerability of women in particular, has many inter-related aspects. Gendered division of labour often results in women working in the informal and agricultural sectors, which are more affected by climate change. In the same context, Topalli pointed out that whether nature or human induced, climate change has a disproportionately adverse impact on women. Given the geographical nature of the Mediterranean region, there is a need for greater emphasis to address the possible gender impact of climate change, particularly on women who are vulnerable due to social and economic inequalities. Food security, economic welfare, energy and water are only some of the major issues confronted by women in the face of climate change and yet women are routinely under-represented in related negotiations and decision-making processes. According to Topalli, climate change plans in many countries do not specifically address gender differences and particular hardships faced by women. The cycle of gender biases that is perpetuated through extreme poverty, and the lack of opportunities presented to women, needs to be broken. Mrs Mubarak stated that there is a dire need to promote and strengthen constructive political dialogue between women parliamentarians of the Mediterranean partners. "It is also essential to reinforce the successful elements of the Barcelona Process and to transform its objectives into tangible realities; and demonstrate how regional dialogues with different political agents can increase the potential for continued regional cooperation and integration." Mrs Mubarak stressed the importance of strengthening the role of women parliamentarians as active agents of change in the Mediterranean region. Towards the end of the first day of the conference, Mrs Mubarak invited some of the participants to a special session on women's role in building peace. Her call was meant to join forces to strengthen women's role as being a key factor in building peace and security in the region. She also highlighted the importance of encouraging women to give a helping hand in peace building via certain policies and programmes. "Women are key partners in the decision-making process," stressing the importance of education and enhancing the status of women." During the three-day conference, Mrs Mubarak said Egypt would adopt a bill combating human trafficking and giving a specific definition to crime, adding that the bill would be referred to parliament. "Egypt would host the first international forum for combating human trafficking to discuss the best and most successful experiences and interaction among state bodies, and the private and public business sectors," Mrs Mubarak added.
