| Socialist
International Women (SIW) :
convinced of the crucial
role women must play in the strengthening and establishment of
a lasting peace in the world in general and in the Euro-Mediterranean
region in particular;
aware that this decisive
role can be fully significant only by combining the rule of law,
democracy and the equality of rights between men and women;
underlining the principle
of solidarity which is one of the fundamental principles of SIW;
noting that this meeting
is being held in international circumstances marked by the challenges
imposed by globalisation and the globalisation of the economy;
Declares
- its concern at the
heightened risks of the divide between the two Mediterranean
coasts and their consequences in terms of marginalisation, impoverishment
and deterioration in social conditions, particularly for women;
- its support for
the struggles led by women in the region, for the establishment
of sustainable development and for the full and complete enjoyment
of fundamental human rights, of which those of women constitute
an integral part, all the more so because they represent more
than half of the world population;
- its commitment to
play an active part in maintaining peace, in conflict prevention
and in the construction of a culture of peace at a regional
and international level;
- its determination
to revitalise the euro-mediterranean process through the implementation
of the Barcelona declaration which provides for policies and
homogenous and integrated programmes and which renders equality
of opportunity imperative for the development of the region;
Takes this opportunity
to launch an urgent appeal
- to member parties
of the Socialist International, to put in place adequate mechanisms
to implement the principle of quota as positive discrimination
to allow a greater representation of women in decision-making
positions;
- to EU member countries
to translate into concrete and immediate action the principles
of the Barcelona declaration, giving particular attention to
the participation and integration of women in development;
- to all active movements
which hold dear peace and liberty, to step up their mobilisation
for an interdependent world economy, for the free movement of
people, for equitable social development and against all forms
of discrimination and violence towards women.
SIW thanks the National
Women's Secretariat of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP)
and the party leadership for the excellent organisation of this
meeting.
SIW pays tribute to
the women of Morocco in their daily struggle for the strengthening
and promotion of their position.
Finally, SIW salutes
the militant action and the unfailing commitment of the First
Secretary of the USFP of Morocco, comrade Abderrahmane Youssoufi
in support of the promotion of Moroccan women.
|
