Democracy and human rights committee at IPU approves UAE proposals

GENEVA, 27th October, 2016 (WAM) -- The democracy and human rights standing committee at the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, has endorsed the proposals on women empowerment submitted by the UAE Parliamentary Division delegation. During the meeting, on the sidelines of 135th session of the IPU and 199th session of the IPU Governing Council, the participants acknowledged that though the women parliamentarians account for 21 percent of world parliaments as per the international statistics, more than double compared to 1995, women still face challenges, specifically from the dominant male culture that hinders full participation of women in politics. The UAE Parliamentary Division called on the parliaments and public institutions to adopt programmes that ensure women do not get involved in terrorist acts, whether through recruitment or funding, or provision of information, or by contributing to such acts in any other form. Many of the UAE proposals, which were approved by the committee, focus on the gender equality when it comes to formulation of policies and legislation to ensure the participation of women in all activities as per the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals. Such equal participation could help safeguard security and peace in communities, UAE Federal National Council Member, Afra Rashid Al Basti said. The approval of the UAE’s proposals reflects the major role played by women on equal footing with men, whether in the peace-keeping missions, prevention of conflicts and safeguarding international security and peace, she added. The increasing participation of women in the political process all over the world has faced resistance, in the form of harassment, intimidation and violence, among others, the UAE official noted. The UAE Parliamentary Division believes that parliament, which takes care of gender equality, is responsive to the needs and interests of both men and women in terms of its structures, operations, methods, regulations and constitutional functions, Al Basti said. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395301839791.htm