EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality

Transcription

1 EUROPEAN PARLIAMT Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality MISSION REPORT following the FEMM Committee delegation visit to Riga, (Latvia), February 2015 Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality Members of the mission: Iratxe García Pérez Marijana Petir Maria Noichl (S&D) (Leader of the mission) (PPE) (S&D) CR\ doc PE v01-00 United in diversity

2 Introduction The FEMM mission visited Latvia to learn about priorities of the Latvian presidency in the first half of 2015 and to examine difficulties Latvia is facing in the area of protection of women's rights and gender equality and visit other places of interest, such as Latvian crisis centre for women and children. Summary account of meetings Monday, 16 February 1. Meeting with representatives of NGOs working on women's rights The mission met the representatives of the following non-governmental organisations working on women's rights: Resource Centre for Women "Marta" Network of Latvian Women s non-governmental organisations, Latvian Rural women s association Crisis Centre for Children and Women "Māras Centrs" Latvia s association for family planning and sexual health "Papardes zieds" Movement of Parents «Dzimta» Families Association Ģimene Institute of Social and Political studies of the Faculty of Social sciences of the University of Latvia University of Latvia Gender Study Center Each organisation briefly introduced its activity to the Members of the mission, which was followed by an exchange of views focusing on the following topics: 1. Proposals to amend the Sexual and reproductive health law: recent proposals to introduce changes to the law stipulate that a woman should have a mandatory public paid consultation of a psychologist, a lawyer, a crisis pregnancy specialist or a social worker prior the artificial termination of pregnancy. These proposals raised big debate in the society. The participants further emphasized importance of education of women and girls on sexual and reproductive health, psychological and social assistance, cooperation on local and EU level. 2. Members of the FEMM mission also exchanged views with the NGOs on women's political and economic participation in the decision-making processes stressing the need to enhance such participation; gender based violence, which is widespread in Latvia; trafficking of women and sexual exploitation; situation of women in the labour market, reconciliation of work and family life and gender pay gap. PE v /7 CR\ doc

3 Tuesday, 17 February 2. Meeting with Mr. Uldis Augulis, Minister of Welfare Mr Uldis Augulis, Minister of Welfare is responsible for a broad portfolio of policy areas, including gender equality. The meeting with the Minister and representatives of the Ministry covered gender equality issues on European level in the context of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, as well as situation on women's rights and gender equality in Latvia. The Minister expressed the commitments of the Latvian Presidency to closely cooperate with the European Parliament on strengthening of the gender equality. He also noted that certain dossiers important to the FEMM Committee, but requiring further negotiations (such as Maternity Leave Directive) might be dealt with by three presidencies (Latvia, Luxembourg and the Netherlands). He also expressed commitment to further work on ending violence against women and to support the proposals to eestablish 2016 as European Year to End Violence against Women and Girls. 3. Meeting with Ms Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Parlamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica presented to the FEMM mission activities of the Ministry and answered questions from MEPs. 4. Meetings with the Members of the Saeima (Parliament) of the Republic of Latvia: Ms. Inese Lībiņa - Egnere, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima; Ms. Aija Barča, Chair of the of the Committee on Social and Employment Matters of the Saeima, and members of the Committee; Ms. Inese Laizāne, Chair of the Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs of the Saeima, and members of the Committee The Deputy Speaker of the Saeima and the Chairs of the parliamentary committees presented to the FEMM mission work of the Saeima and responsibility of their respective committees, which amongst other fields are also responsible for gender equality. In addition to the Chairs a number of other Members of the Committee from different political parties were present and contributed to the presentation and further exchange of views between the Latvian and European parliamentarians. 5. Meeting with Mr. Juris Jansons, Ombudsman of the Republic of Latvia Mr. Juris Jansons presented to the members of the FEMM mission activities and responsibilities of the Ombudsman's office. MEPs further asked questions and exchanged opinions with Mr. Juris Jansons on the work of the Ombudman in securing protection of women from discrimination in different areas of their life. CR\ doc 3/7 PE v01-00

4 Wednesday, 18 February 6. Meeting with Gita Krūmiņa, Director of the Crisis Centre and visit of the Crisis Centre for Children and Women "Māras Centrs" and visit to the Centre Dardedze for protection of abused families Directors of the Centres and their teams presented to the FEMM mission work of the Centres, which provide necessary social, pedagogical, psychological, medical assistance to the abused women, children and families, and answered different questions from MEPs. PE v /7 CR\ doc

5 Annex I Delegation to Riga (Latvia), February 2015 Final draft programme Individual arrival to Riga on Monday, 16 February Monday, 16 February HOTEL Radisson Blu Ridzene Reimersa 1 LV-1050 Riga, Latvia Phone: Meeting at the hotel lobby and bus transfer to the venue Meeting with representatives of NGOs working on women's rights Moderator Ieva Jaunzeme, State Secretary of the Ministry of Welfare Resource Centre for Women "Marta" Network of Latvian Women s non-governmental organisations, Latvian Rural women s association Crisis Centre for Children and Women "Māras Centrs" Latvia s association for family planning and sexual health "Papardes zieds" Movement of Parents «Dzimta» Families Association Ģimene Institute of Social and Political studies of the Faculty of Social sciences of the University of Latvia University of Latvia Gender Study Center Venue: National Library of Latvia, Hall Vidzeme, 1st floor Guided tour in the National Library Venue: National Library of Latvia, 1st floor 18:00-20:00 Dinner hosted by the Presidency Venue: Restaurant Portofino, Ausekļa street 7, Riga CR\ doc 5/7 PE v01-00

6 Bus transfer to the hotel Tuesday, 17 February 9.30 Meeting at the hotel lobby and bus transfer to the venue Meeting with Mr. Uldis Augulis, Minister of Welfare Venue: Ministry of Welfare, Skolas street :45 Meeting with Ms Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Parlamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Venue: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, K.Valdemāra iela Meetings with the Members of the Saeima (Parliament) of the Republic of Latvia: Meeting with Ms. Inese Lībiņa - Egnere, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima Ms. Aija Barča, Chair of the of the Committee on Social and Employment Matters of the Saeima, and members of the Committee Ms. Inese Laizāne, Chair of the Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs of the Saeima, and members of the Committee Venue: Saeima, Red Hall, Jēkaba street Lunch hosted by Ms Aija Barča and Ms Inese Laizāne Venue: Restaurant of the Saeima Meeting with Mr. Juris Jansons, Ombudsman of the Republic of Latvia Venue: Ombudsman bureau, Baznīcas street 25 PE v /7 CR\ doc

7 Bus transfer to the hotel Wednesday, 18 February Meeting at the hotel lobby and bus transfer to the venue Meeting with Gita Krūmiņa, Director of the Crisis Centre and visit of the Crisis Centre for Children and Women "Māras Centrs" Venue: Cieceres street Visit to the Centre Dardedze for protection of abused families Venue: Cieceres street 3a Bus transfer to the hotel *** End of the programme CR\ doc 7/7 PE v01-00