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European Year of People with Disabilities
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The Commission works on the advancement of the
interests of all blind and partially sighted women of Europe, by making
women and their often specific situations visible, and by promoting
their interests in particular within EBU decision-making bodies.
Commission members, ranging in age from 25 to 70, strive for equal
representation and participation in the boards of EBU and of its member
organisations. Only that will provide a firm and good basis for a
stronger and more democratic EBU, and will enable us to achieve our goal
: equal opportunities for all blind and partially sighted people in
society.
More information :
Birgitta Blokland, Chair
Dutch Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted
bjb202@hotmail.com
Mavzilia Ioudina, Vice-chair
All Russian Association of the Blind
oms@vos.org.ru
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Membership list 1999 - 2003
Chair : Birgitta Blokland (Netherlands)
Vice-Chair : Mavzilia Loudina (Russia)
Board Member : Tiina Nummi-Soedergren
Members :
- Belarus : Zoia Tarakanova
- Belgium : Ria Decoopman
- Bulgaria : Jivka Pavlova
- France : Catherine Oelhoffen
- Germany : Helga Neumann
- Greece : Theodora Fardela
- Italy : Vanda Dignani
- Spain : Maria-José Sanchez
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What's new ?
The Commission has just issued its Women's
Newsbulletin No 7.
The Commission will hold its next meeting in the Netherlands on 9-10 May
2003.
EUROPEAN WOMEN'S LOBBY LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE AND GUIDE ON YOUNG WOMEN
Relationships between women and men, young women in education,
employment, health, violence, the media, decision-making and European
legislation on equality: these are the themes that young European women
have chosen to analyse in a new publication of the European Women's
Lobby (EWL).
The Young Women's Guide was launched by members of the EWL and of the
Young Women's Network at a press conference in Athens on 10 May 2001.
"At a time when women earn only 77 % of men wages, when they still
perform 80 % of household tasks, young women are more than ever
committed to working for equality between women and men. Young women in
Europe expect far greater support for equality from political leaders
and policy-makers", stated Carmen Castro, Treasurer of the EWL.
A seminar gathered coordinators of the Young Women's Network and EWL
members as well as observers from Eastern Europe in Greece, on 11-12 May
2001, to discuss future possibilities for the participation of young
women in promoting equality.
"This meeting was a great opportunity for young women to define
their priorities and strategies for action at all levels ;problems such
as negative sexual stereotyping, youth poverty, trafficking in young
women cannot be ignored by decision-makers any more. Our plan is to work
in cooperation with all actors to be included", concluded a member
of the EWL network.
The Young Women's Guide is available in print and from a new website in
all official languages of the European Union : http://youngwomen.womenlobby.org
With 3000 member organisations in all EU Member States, the EWL is the
largest coalition of women's organisations in the EU.
More information at EWL/LEF : 18 rue Hydraulique, 1210 Bruxelles
Tel. +32 2 217 9020 ; Fax: +32 2 219 8451
ewl@womenlobby.org
http://www.womenlobby.org
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National news
In ITALY women's issues are taken into high account,
including at institutional level. A few years ago UIC (Italian Union of
the Blind) established a Commission on Equal Opportunities for
Men and Women, that I co-ordinate. The Commission, which meets
twice a year, aims to inform and empower blind women through national
and interregional seminars.
A magazine for visually impaired women and girls was created last year.
It is edited by a young woman, Luisa Bartolucci, and can be accessed on
the web at : www.uiciechi.it/riviste/Kaleidos/index.htm.
This year, several seminars took place between the end of February and
the first half of March to celebrate 8 March, International Women's Day.
In Milan, the theme was "The psychology of partially sighted
women" ; in Messina, "Training and information" ; in
Rome, "Prevention of women's diseases" ; in Foggia, "New
perspectives for blind women in the Third Millennium".
The Commission has prepared a reference booklet to be presented at the
next National Congress of UIC (22-24 November 2001). A section in the
booklet compiles and comments on the most important Italian laws
regarding women. The booklet also incorporates Resolutions adopted at
EBU and WBU Women's Forums, as well as the EDF Manifesto by Disabled
Women in Europe.
Important events and activities for the near future will be planned at
the upcoming National Congress of UIC or soon afterwards. So far only
three women intend to stand for election to the National Council of UIC
: Luciana Pericci, Angela Mazzetti and myself.
Vanda Dignani
Unione Italiana Ciechi
Blind women in Cyprus : a brief view
One of the recent established Committees of the Pancyprian Organization
of the Blind is the women's Committee. This Committee was founded in
September 1999, in an effort to overcome blind women's problems and
special needs. At this early stage of its development the Committee is
facing difficulties in getting the women interested and involved in its
activities. For this reason it is extremely difficult to recognize the
actual and specific problems that the female members of the Organization
are facing.
Concerning the work of this Committee, the most important issue it is
confronted with, is the unemployment crisis and the lack of any resource
and rehabilitation centres for blind and partially sighted people
mentioned above. There are not any permanent projects based on specific
employment programmes, where visually impaired women can be encouraged
to take part.
At present, apart from professional studies, the only occupation the
women can be trained for, is as switchboard operators (telephonists) or
as workers at the workshops of the Pancyprian Organization of the Blind.
Two of the most important aims of the women's committee are :
(a) Equality in every aspect of everyday life, and (b) to make the
female members of our Organization realize that knowledge and
information are the best tools they have, to support their goals and
demand their rights.
One of the first activities of the Women's Committee was the hosting of
the 1st meeting of the EBU Commission on the Advancement of the
Interests of Blind and Partially Sighted Women, which took place in
Larnaca, in June, 2000.
This year's activities include a survey for collecting facts and figures
in order to find out the actual status of the women in the Organization.
Seminars on various subjects concerning health and nutrition, physical
fitness and eugenics have been also planned.
It cannot be said that there is any obvious or express discrimination
against women with visual problems, either in the society or in law in
Cyprus. On the contrary, according to specific provisions of the
Constitution and the relevant legislation no discrimination is permitted
due to gender before the administration, the law or before the courts.
Furthermore, an equal remuneration is provided for equal quantity of
work.
In reality however, the perspectives of visually impaired women in the
society of Cyprus in every day life are different, especially regarding
their rights and the possibility of living a normal social and family
life.
Unfortunately, there hasn't been any study to show the correlation
between women and men with visual problems who got married and created a
family and those who were not able to do so. Nevertheless, it is
recognised in the society of Cyprus and generally accepted among
visually impaired people, that men with such impairments more frequently
and more easily get married not only to blind or partially sighted women
but also to those with no impairment. They also develop social
relationships more easily and are very rarely forced into any kind of
isolation. On the other hand, the percentage of women with visual
problems who get married and live an active social or family life is
much smaller. There are more examples of visually impaired women who,
even though they are well educated and hold a good job, are forced into
a kind of social isolation in the sense that they are not active members
of society. There is a greater prejudice against them, it is more
difficult for them to get married and it is more difficult for them to
make friendships.
However, becoming vocationally rehabilitated is more or less the same
for men and women. The same applies to their education and training.
They also have the same rights as regards the state and they receive the
same allowances and assistance from the State as men with visual
problems.
This is a short description of the situation of visually impaired women
in the society of Cyprus. I believe that the issue has not been dealt
with in depth. The special survey that will be carried out, might reveal
facts and events on the basis of which useful conclusions could be
drawn.
Participating in the broader Women's Movement is a step forward in
achieving the global aims of our Organization. Through the
representation of our Organization in the EBU Commission on the
Advancement of the Interests of Blind and Partially Sighted Women, we
have managed to establish bonds with all the European countries and
gained experience from their working methods and knowledge from their
Tool Documents. Representatives of our Organization participated also to
the World Women's Forum and the European Women's Forum preceding the
General Assembly of the World Blind Union and the European Blind Union,
respectively.
Liaising with every country and with each individual separately is the
main purpose of the Committee in order to spread its message and become
stronger. Disability is not a way of life. Disability is a way of
thinking and the struggle is against any such discrimination and
superstition.
RUSSIA
The Women's Council of VOS (All-Russia Association of the Blind)
had held two meetings since January 2001. The main issues and
proposals discussed at the meetings were : development of the women's
movement within VOS, rehabilitation, self-help, employment,
international activities, etc.
Active women's work has considerably increased the role of women within
VOS : there are now 14 chairwomen of Regional Boards - i.e. twice as
many as in 1996 . The number of women holding other important positions
(e.g. general directors) has increased from 8 to 13 over the same
period.
In January 2001, VOS membership was estimated at 272 801, including 148
859 women. There are 10 123 blind and partially-sighted women at work,
mainly as musicians, lawyers, librarians, teachers, etc.
Regional branches of VOS work towards enhanced service provision for
blind and partially-sighted women, e.g. support to women wishing to
start their own businesses.
Women's clubs have been set up in several regions : in St. Petersburgh,
the "Housewife" Club offers courses in cooking, sewing and
knitting. At the "Ladies' Caprice" Club in Revda (Sverdlovsk
region), blind women are tought how to improve their social skills and
behaviours.
In the Republic of Bashkortostan, a public legal office on family and
women's issues has been set up. "Hope", a half-an-hour radio
programme dedicated to visually disabled women, is broadcast once a
month over the Bashkir radio station. A local museum run by VOS has an
exhibition on the history of women's involvement in the Bashkir
organized movement of the blind.
In the future, Blind Women' s Councils all over Russia should pay
attention to the following issues :
- Elaboration of recommendations and guidelines for women's bodies
within VOS regional organizations,
- Establishment of more regional women's organizations,
- Involvement in legislative work to improve living conditions of
disabled women,
- Development of regional activities and identification of positive
experiences,
- Development of fundraising activities,
- Continuation of the Council's international activities.
Mavzilia Ioudina
VOS, All-Russia Association of the Blind
SPAIN
Since the beginning of 2001, the main goal of the National Committee
for Furthering the Participation of Blind Women has been to foster
the setting up of local committees in those areas where they do not yet
exist. Special emphasis has been put on the creation of mixed committees
as it is felt that the participation of men should help direct
collaboration between genders and boost equality of opportunities.
Although some local committees have yet to be created, this work has
proved most fruitful.
The activity of the committees already in operation has been focused on
drawing up local action plans taking into consideration local
specificities and interests.
Several training courses to foster self-esteem have taken place as this
is one of the fundamental factors in making women feel capable of
participating in their own right.
A nationwide conference will be held next year. Its objective is to
establish common guidelines for local activities and put forward
proposals for the future of the National Committee.
External relations with other women's groups, political parties and
disability groups in general have also been among the principal issues
examined by the National Committee.
Maria-José Sanchez
ONCE (Spanish National Organisation of the Blind)
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EBU POLICY STATEMENT ON IMPLEMENTING THE HUMAN
AND SOCIAL RIGHTS OF VISUALLY IMPAIRED WOMEN IN EUROPE
INTRODUCTION :
The Board of the European Blind Union (EBU), when considering WBU
Resolution 96-09, Improvement of services for blind women and girls -
asked the EBU Commission on Social Rights during the work period 1996-9,
to consider what action may be taken to address the human and social
rights of visually impaired women.
After consulting with the EBU Commission on the Advancement of the
Interests of Blind and Partially Sighted Women, the Commission on Social
Rights prepared a Policy Statement on this subject. The statement was
included in the Commission's Report to the 6th General Assembly in
Prague in November 1999 and was endorsed by the Assembly.
This Policy Statement has been further developed by the Commissions on
Human and social Rights and for the Advancement of the Interests of
Blind and Partially Sighted Women, and has been submitted to the Board
of EBU for endorsement.
OBJECTIVE OF THE POLICY STATEMENT :
The Statement is intended to :
- Draw attention to the discrimination experienced by visually
impaired women in Europe
- Recommend action that can be taken by national agencies
representing the interests of visually impaired people to address
this discrimination
DISCUSSION :
A survey in Holland revealed that legislation is gender neutral, and
services are officially available for all, however provision is male
biased. Accounts from other European countries indicate that women
nominally have the same human and social rights. However, women do not
always gain access to those rights. The situation of men and women in
the workplace illustrates this discrepancy. A covert hierarchy of
opportunity exists. Able bodied men are in the best jobs, followed by
able bodied women. Next in line are disabled men. Disabled women are
located at the bottom of the employment hierarchy.
Although theoretically legislation usually offers women equal
opportunities, in practice biological factors, attitudes, conditioning
and inadvertent discrimination means that women do not have access to
the same life opportunities as men. Visually impaired women are doubly
disadvantaged.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION BY EBU MEMBERS :
This situation is wholly unsatisfactory. However there are many factors
that create this problem. These include societal attitudes towards women
that are beyond the scope of organisations such as the EBU and national
agencies representing the interests of visually impaired people to
address. It is therefore recommended that EBU members ensure that their
organisation's internal policies and practices enable women to :
- Obtain employment at all levels and across the full range of posts
within their organisations ;
- Receive the same pay and conditions of employment as their male
colleagues ;
- Have the same opportunities for training and professional
development as their male colleagues ;
- Receive maternity leave and have the opportunity to return to
their job after the birth of children ;
- Receive encouragement and support to join Committees and Boards,
so they can participate fully in the organisation's policy and
decision making processes.
The EBU Commissions on Human and Social Rights and for the Advancement
of the Interests of Blind and Partially Sighted Women and the Board of
EBU invite all EBU Members to review their policies and practices in
these five areas, and to consider what action may be needed to ensure
that visually impaired women have equal rights, opportunities and
responsibilities within their organisations.
It is also suggested that the progress being made in achieving gender
equity is monitored annually, and the results published, together with a
statement indicating the action being taken to achieve parity. This
initiative will be seen by visually impaired women as a signal that the
national organisation that represents their interests is committed to
gender equity, and will encourage more visually impaired women to seek
employment and Committee nomination.
It is often beneficial to form a council of visually impaired women at a
national level. This facilitates mutual support, and enables women to
develop their confidence, skills and experience. However, a council of
women should be perceived as facilitating, rather than replacing
equality of opportunity for employment or representation within
organisations serving visually impaired people.
When internal gender equity has been established, organisations
representing the interests of visually impaired people should encourage
public bodies to give the same opportunities to suitable visually
impaired women.
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PLAN OF ACTION 1999 - 2003
A. Long-term aims
Full equality will be reached when blind women and girls have achieved
full participation and decent living conditions in our societies and
organisations, at all levels. This means full inclusion of blind women
and girls into economical, social and cultural life, as well as enjoying
their own family life. Blind women have the right to keep their identity
as women without suffering from discrimination.
B. Short-term activities
Goal 1 : Set up an EBU women's network
Goal 2 : Produce a Women's Newsletter
Goal 3 : Cooperation with other EBU Commissions
Goal 4 : Continue the work with the " tool documents " of
special concern for blind and visually impaired women.
Goal 5 : Investigate the needs of visually impaired women in Europe
Goal 6 : Develop work on gender equality in Europe
The Commission's previous plans of action are available from EBU Office.
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Reports and Publications
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