SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, March 8. (EUROPE PRESS) –
The Parliament of the Canary Islands approved this Tuesday an institutional declaration in which it urges “not to lower our guard” to continue building a “just and equal” society and highlights the “conviction” of claiming the ‘International Women’s Day’ “before a sadly obvious reality.
The text, signed by all the political groups in the Chamber, states that over the years “there have been many achievements” but inequality remains and still requires “a lot of work” with the involvement of institutions, entities of the different areas and society in general.
Thus, it is stated that the pandemic has brought harsh socioeconomic and labor consequences “that have hit women more than men” although it has also served “to show the world the extraordinary role that women play in the health, scientific , technological, investigative and social”.
The Chamber points out that Covid-19 has revealed the “structural inequalities” suffered by women and girls, with “disproportionate consequences” in situations of greater vulnerability.
Likewise, it indicates that since the beginning of the pandemic, sexist violence “has intensified” due to the restrictions derived from social and health measures.
Parliament also reminds particularly vulnerable women who suffer “double discrimination”, including women with disabilities, transsexuals, lesbians, bisexuals, older women, migrant women, women in poverty, women who suffer from gender-based violence or women in war contexts.
THE “GREAT INVISIBLES” IN WARS
Likewise, it underlines that the people displaced by wars are, for the most part, women and girls, “the great invisible” of armed conflicts.
In addition, according to the United Nations Organization, recent wars have been characterized by a high level of violence against them, with extreme situations such as those where sexual violence is used as a weapon.
The Chamber indicates that this March 8 “is also a recognition of the contribution of women and girls to the construction of a more sustainable future and their efforts to mitigate climate change, one of the main global challenges we face in the present”.
The Parliament also remains on the side of the values on which to build a more peaceful and supportive world and, in this sense, highlights in a special way the “active and decisive role” of women who work for a culture of peace.
Faced with the underrepresentation of women in institutions, the Parliament is committed to their effective participation in public life and proposes advancing in policies that facilitate equal opportunities, “where equal pay becomes a reality that breaks all the ceilings of crystal”.
“Let us not forget that almost 70 percent of part-time jobs are carried out by women who, in addition, continue to take care of the family and home in a systematic way,” the statement collects.
The Parliament of the Canary Islands also reiterates its “firmest” condemnation of any manifestation of sexist violence and proposes a “common front” in the face of this “enormous and complex” problem that threatens human rights and the freedoms of women.
RECOGNITION OF THE FEMINIST MOVEMENT
The regional Chamber also expresses its appreciation for the work of the feminist movement, for so many women’s organizations that magnify the meaning of the word ‘equality’ every day, that fight against stereotypes, in favor of female leadership and the defense of rights of all women in the world.
Likewise, it highlights the “indisputable” role that women have played throughout history in terms of their contribution to the development of societies. “As an act of justice, let’s continue working to make them visible, to recognize them and to honor her memory,” she says.
Parliament also reiterates the “essential role” of equality education, as well as raising awareness and reinforcing inclusive measures.
On this day of vindication, the Parliament of the Canary Islands wants to defend the “empowerment” and security of women and girls so that they can have “opportunities identical” to those of men while stressing that the feminist struggle is a struggle in favor of the consolidation of democratic values.
“The response to those who seek to break the consensus and confront society by instrumentalizing equality cannot be other than unity and the defense of those values. Without equality, society does not advance,” the statement concludes.
