11-12 July 2024, Marrakesh, Morocco – The Expanded Advisory Board Meeting of the PAM Women Parliamentary Forum (WPF) took place in Marrakesh, back-to-back with the II edition of the PAM Economic Parliamentary Forum for the Euro-Mediterranean Region and Gulf, generously hosted by the House of Councillors of the Kingdom of Morocco.
The meeting was opened by H.E. Hon. Enaam Mayara, President of PAM and of the House of Councillors of the Kingdom of Morocco, who emphasized women’s vital role in the socio-economic development of the Mediterranean, and called for furthered legislative efforts to reach gender parity in all PAM countries.
Following his opening remarks, Ms. Mouna El Mesmoudi, Chargée de Mission to the Presidency of the National Council for Human Rights of the Kingdom of Morocco, highlighted the country’s dedication to gender equality, human rights, and inclusive governance, as well as stressed the need for collective responsibility and institutional reforms.
Hon. Joana Lima (Portugal), President of the WPF, underscored the enormous potential of women, although many of them are trapped in context of insecurity and conflict all around the world. She reiterated the efforts of PAM to promote and support women empowerment.
Contributions were made by H.E. Hon. Fabiana Martin, President of the Mercosur Parliament, H.E. Hon. Silvia Garcia, President of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN), and H.E. Hon. Cristina Reyes Hidalgo, President of the Andean Parliament. Drawing on perspectives from Latin America, they restated the significant role of women in society and highlighted the discrimination that women face in working environment and political representation, underlining the need for international cooperation and legislative tools to address such socio-economic challenges and promote global gender parity.
The new Presidency team of the WPF, elected during the 18th Plenary Session in Braga, Portugal, and which will assume its duties at the 2nd WPF session in Paris in December 2024, was introduced to participants: Hon. Maryam Bin Theneya (UAE) as President in-pectore, and Hon. Klodiana Spahiu (Albania) and Hon. Tuba Durgut (Türkiye) as future Vice-Presidents. Their leadership and competence will drive significant progress towards the empowerment of women, focusing on, among others, enhancing women’s active participation in decision-making systems, prioritizing women’s health, as well as addressing digital violence against women.
The discussions were further enriched by international speakers. Ms. Ana Peláez Narváez, President of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (UN-CEDAW), highlighted the risks that global crises pose to progress and underlined the crucial role of parliamentarians in implementing CEDAW provisions. She announced the upcoming adoption of General Recommendation No. 40 by the CEDAW Committee in October 2024, and called for more joint initiatives between PAM and CEDAW on this regard.
In her presentation, Ms. Maria Pia Rossignaud, Senior Vice-President of the Osservatorio TuttiMedia, addressed the dangers of AI based on gender, such as gender biases and gendered disinformation.
The representatives of Bahrain, Portugal, Italy, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, made insightful interventions from the floor.
The second day, on 12 July, Hon. Lima and Hon. Bin Theneya presented an overview of the WPF activities for the biennium 2021-2023, and briefed on the outcome of the Extended Advisory Board Meeting. They emphasized the Forum’s dedication to boosting women’s contributions to peace and security activities of the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf regions.
In this regard, the Forum has engaged with women in key positions across PAM Member States, fostering reflections on their futures.
Hon. Durgut (Türkiye), in a written statement, proposed several key issues to be considered for the working agenda of the WPF, including engaging academics, governmental officials, and NGO representatives, to share experiences and develop strategic plans that bolster women’s roles, particularly in the food and textile sectors. She further stressed the importance of improving living conditions for young and elderly women, especially those affected by conflicts, and ensuring their access to basic services, such as health and water provisions. Hon. Durgut advocated for revising regulations to provide flexible work options, including remote work, to enhance women’s economic participation. She also called for a comprehensive roadmap to address the sexual abuse of migrant women and children.
In conclusion, the WPF signed a very important Cooperation Agreement with the Parliamentary Network of Women Parliamentarians in Africa and the Arab World, chaired by H.E. Dr. Jehad Abdulla Al Fadhel, Second Vice-President of the Parliament of Bahrain. This Agreement aims to advance further gender equality and women’s empowerment in parliamentary governance through joint initiatives, capacity-building programs, and advocacy efforts. //