|
Filiz Hyusmenova on the Report on the Situation of Women in Rural…. |
March 12, 2008, Strasbourg, 10 a.m.
Filiz Hyusmenova on the Report on the Situation of Women in Rural Areas, which will be reviewed today at the European Parliament in Strasbourg:
Women in remore areas need
a business of their own and more social projects
Equal rights of women in Bulgaria have not yet met the conditions for funding of projects in rural areas, and this consistent policy of the EU cannot but yield tangible results coupled with the tools for regional cohesion – this is what Filiz Hyusmenova believes in connection with the report on the Situation of Women in Rural Areas submitted by Christa Klass and approved by the European Parliament in Strasbourg. It was voted today at 12 pm, but already Tuesday night during the debates at 10 pm it became clear that all political groups supported it.
“I would like to draw the Bulgarian women’s attention to the beneficial coincidence of the two major political tools of European policy – equality in distributing operative programs’ budget, farming included, and cohesion among regions with a different level of social and economic development. Until now, producers of foodstuffs and related goods have focused more on economic projects; now, social benefits of women from remote villages and bringing their social rights and advantages on a par with women from urban areas is a clear European priority. As a MEP and a woman, knowing contrasts and conditions in Bulgaria, I feel obliged to call on my fellow women to be more active and get involved in more projects for the infrastructure, as well as for elder care in villages, communications, kindergartens, sports, and especially continuing education which is extremely important for the population of less prestigious municipalities,” Ms. Hyusmenova concluded.
Yesterday and today, there were many discussions in the European Parliament on the principle of gender equality becoming a priority in projects and programs. Besides this, the Bulgarian MEP is also drawing attention on the balance between economic and social benefits. Ms. Hyusmenova is among the few Bulgarian MEPs who throughout 2007 held 25 seminars in rural areas for women and business entrepreneurship, their aim being practical training in writing European projects.
The goal of the report that has just been adopted is to turn inevitable development into sustainable progress, Hysmenova said. The European Commissioner for Agriculture Mariann Fischer Boel welcomes optimism about changing the infrastructure in agricultural regions and would not have women living and working there referred to as “farmers.” I meet with enterprising women who themselves invent and work in different associations, and this is their first major step,” Fischer Boel said. She stated that every EU member state must provide broad band Internet to investors in rural areas and “reminded” employers there to offer part time jobs to women and mothers.
|
web design