STATEMENT OF GRANADA
(July, 2009)
The third congress of Mediterranean Voices, held in Granada from 6 to 9 July 2009, agreed to issue a statement. Granada Declaration aims to show the international community, especially to the Alliance of Civilizations and other English and international, diversity and complexity of the gendered experience of women in the Mediterranean area, and its ability to construct points for encounter, dialogue and understanding. This Bill proposes to governments that signed the Alliance of Civilizations, and particularly to the Mediterranean area, the need for urgent action to implement and enforce the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and urge them to implement equality policies that benefit women and, therefore, society as a whole.
Over the course of Mediterranean Voices since its first meeting in Rome-2007, the second in Madrid-2008, and this third in Granada, a hundred women from different geographical and cultural points of the Mediterranean basin, representing various networks and institutions, or individually, we concluded that, from feminist and progressive, we have an obligation to help change attitudes and inspire political action in line for the construction of the Mediterranean area as a zone peace, progress and stability. Therefore, the Mediterranean Voices participants in their preparation and guidance, under the auspices of the National Plan for the Alliance of Civilizations and the International University Menéndez Pelayo, as well as other partner agencies, we agreed to this first initiative, presented to the Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, with the request to submit it to the United Nations High Commissioner for the Alliance, and the governments of friendly countries. We are moved by the shared belief that equality and freedom for women, its visibility as an active agent in the political, economic and social, is a sine qua non for the consolidation of companies that guarantee democratic rights.
And in this regard: 1 .-
DEMAND concrete, immediate and urgent action to combat and eliminate human rights violations that have plagued and devastate millions of women from all the shores of the Mediterranean basin and remain in a state of permanent emergency. In this regard, demand for continued and enforced already agreed by international bodies, and signed the Beijing Declaration (1995) and Resolution 1325 (2007) Security Council of the United Nations and the Ministerial Conclusions on Paper Women in Society, Istanbul (2006), among others, which, of course, subscribe. 2 .-
WE REFUSE to be considered as a minority. We are the absolute majority (over 52% of the population) and therefore declare that access to political power is the right of women as active and equal individuals. Therefore, we strongly parity in all spheres of public life and politics and decision-making. 3 .-
We record that social imbalances and inequalities of all kinds hinder the understanding between peoples, are exacerbated in the case of women. Until corrected the state of emergency in which women live by the sexism in all its forms, and violations of human rights, no progress will be made in solving the great problems of the contemporary world, in particular armed conflicts, occupation military, poverty and environmental destruction. So CLAIM structural changes in social and political systems, which means taking seriously into consideration that the lives of women is conditioned by gender, transversely across issues, and that we have to intervene actively in the changes that must take into consideration the human development index (HDI) in the lives of women living in the Mediterranean . 4 .-
We strongly that, government intervention, economic models are integrated, productive and ethical issues, based on cooperation, solidarity, partnership and respect for the environment, women can produce and that so often marginal, we are producing now. We propose to discuss concrete initiatives already underway, which, driven by women Mediterranean show that working together, even between seemingly irreconcilable sectors, it is possible and necessary to bring hope, peace and prosperity of societies. We also want to make mention of the women of the Fourth Culture, the Gypsy culture, support their claims, and claim their full active participation in public life. 5 .-
URGE urge the recognition of the work of women, drawn from his own time, is intended to care for the family. We demand a revision of the Force concept that sometimes puts us outside the world of goods and services as well as consideration of family care work of dependent elderly and socially productive. Specifically, we also propose the revision of the laws of hereditary transmission of property by legislating legal improvements in the estate of the person who cares. 6 .-
CONSIDER a secular and democratic society that guarantees freedom of conscience and worship, is a prerequisite for the development of women in the Mediterranean, we know and have brought much of the historical weight of religions in our cultures. We are alarmed by the resurgence of the most conservative of religious institutions, and its growing influence on government policies and in everyday life, especially of new generations of women in the area. Therefore, we call an immediate and coordinated effort to prevent legal problems and abuses that so far are daily, and provide the critical tools and education to ensure that women have free choice, even in the case of religious practices. 7 .-
CALL THE ATTENTION of politicians and the public about the trap of multiculturalism, in the name of the identity and traditions, relativize the universality of human rights. We are willing to create and support awareness campaigns and programs that promote respect for diversity and unity in the differences, but only and exclusively in the context of the universality of the Declaration of Human Rights. 8 .-
States firmly that women do not want to be tied in the name of religion, or culture, or traditions that make us give up our rights as individuals, perfectly described in the UN Charter. We want to participate fully in our societies and liberty as full political subjects. We emphasize that the transformation of the Mediterranean area towards a unified, prosperous, peaceful and more just and equitable, it will be visible with the participation of women or not. In particular, we want to participate in the development of economic policies that offer women jobs and career opportunities, and creating the infrastructure necessary for their independence and productivity. 9 .-
DEMAND which empowers the government and international policy instruments already exist to defend the human rights of women, especially to the Alliance of Civilizations and the National Plan, as well as women's movements and their organizations, providing them with funding and additional resources in the Mediterranean within each society.
GRANADA DECLARATION
(JULY, 2009)
At the third Mediterranean Voices conference, celebrated in Granada, Spain, July 6-9th, 2009, it was agreed upon to issue a declaration. The main purpose of this document is to alert the international community—especially those countries that subscribe to the Alliance of Civilizations and other national and international entities—of two important facts: that women in the Mediterranean region are building bridges, encouraging dialogue and understanding, and that their experiences are extremely diverse and complex. This Declaration urges all governments, particularly those representing Mediterranean countries, to adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the recommendations of the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), to implement measures and policies in favour of gender equality. We believe that these actions would not only benefit women, but all members of the society.
The three consecutive editions of Mediterranean Voices (Rome 2007, Madrid 2008, Granada 2009), have brought together over a hundred women from diverse cultures, social strata and geographic locations. We have agreed to a common feminist and progressive position: a commitment to changing mentalities and inspiring political actions that will contribute to the development of a peaceful, prosperous and stable Mediterranean region. Thus, participants of Mediterranean Voices, framed within the National Plan for the Alliance of Civilizations, and made possible with the collaboration of the International Menéndez Pelayo University and other supporting institutions, have agreed upon taking this initiative and presenting it to the English President, Mr. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. We are kindly requesting that he submit this initiative to the High Representative of the United Nations for the Alliance of Civilizations, as well as to all governments of the Alliance of Civilizations allied countries. We firmly believe and are encouraged by the conviction that gender equality and freedom, women’s political visibility, their economic and social recognition and active enrolment in decision making are indispensable for the consolidation of societies based on democratic rights for all. Thus:
1.- WE DEMAND urgent, concrete and immediate actions to end human rights violations perpetrated against women in the Mediterranean region. Women have lived and still live in a permanent emergency state due to human rights violations. We subscribe to the Pekin Declaration (1995) and the Resolution 1325 (2007) of the Security Council of the United Nations, as well as the Ministerial Conclusions on the Role of Women in Society document agreed upon in Istanbul (2006), among other related documents to which we also subscribe.
2.- WE REFUSE to be considered a minority. We are the largest social group in the world (52 % of the world’s population). Thus, WE DECLARE that access to political power is a woman’s right. Women are active members of society and as such, they must be fully considered equal citizens. WE FIRMLY ASK FOR equity and parity in decision making positions as well as in all aspects of public and political life.
3.- WE WISH TO RESTATE that women are agents of society, thus, gender inequalities affect not just women alone but societies as a whole, and represent a real danger for democracy and peace processes. Gender inequality aggravates existing conflicts and has a devastating effect on women at large. As long as governments and international institutions do not put remedy to the emergency state in which millions of women live due to the effects of sexism and human rights violations, it will be impossible to move towards the resolution of major contemporary problems, particularly, war, poverty and the destruction of the environment. WE DEMAND structural changes in the political and social orders. Gender shapes and affects the lives of women intersectionally and in all areas of social life; we demand that the HDI (Human Development Index) should be taken into account particularly regarding women who live in the Mediterranean region; and that we, women, are also going to take active part in those changes decidedly.
4.- WE FIRMLY REQUEST that the economic and ethical models based on solidarity, alliances, cooperation, respect for the environment and for diversity that women have been implementing in their communities, be integrated in public life. WE PROPOSE that politicians examine and integrate these examples of concrete initiatives into their policies in the Mediterranean region in order to build hope, peace and prosperity collectively. We wish to add a special mention regarding the women of the so-called Fourth Culture, the Gypsy culture; we firmly support a their right for full recognition and active participation in public life.
5.- WE STRONGLY ASK that the unpaid work and labour of women be acknowledged, especially those women who are housewives, and caretakers of family members, elderly people and dependants, as well as those women who are self-employed as domestic help. We DEMAND that the concept of active population be revised in order to incorporate women in all social spheres as a productive force. Specifically, we propose that the legal status of care takers be included in heritage laws in order to improve their legal rights in relation to inheritance laws.
6.- WE UNANIMOUSLY BELIEVE that a secular and a democratic society where freedom of thought and worship is guaranteed constitutes an essential condition for women in the Mediterranean region to develop as human beings to their full potential. We know that women have carried the burden of religion and culture for centuries. We are alarmed by the religious conservatist wave that is currently taking place, and are aware of the strong negative influence that religious conservatism has in certain political sectors, and in the daily lives of women, particularly young women. Thus, WE REQUEST additional and immediate educational efforts and initiatives to counteract this phenomenon and to guarantee women’s freedom in religious practices.
7.- WE WISH TO SPOTLIGHT the “trap of multiculturalism” for, in the name of identity, cultural diversity and tradition, we are witnessing a dangerous relativism of universal human rights in relation to women. We want to actively support programs and information campaigns that promote respect for diversity and the union of all in (spite of) our difference. However, we demand that these initiatives be framed within the Universal Human Rights Declaration.
8.- WE DECIDEDLY AFFIRM that we, women, do not want to be tied down in the name of religion, or in the name of culture and traditions. We want to have the opportunity to freely participate in our societies as full citizens with all rights guaranteed. WE INSIST that the gradual transformation towards a unified, prosperous, fair, egalitarian and peaceful Mediterranean region, should not leave women behind. Specifically, we wish to actively participate in the development of economic policies aimed at improving professional and working opportunities for women, as well as in the creation of the necessary infrastructures for women’s independence and their productive role in society
9.- WE DEMAND that existing international governmental organizations and entities for the defence of women’s human rights be empowered, specifically, the Alliance of Civilizations initiative and the corresponding National Plans. Finally, we request that the same empowerment be implemented for women’s and social movements that exist in each Mediterranean society for the same purpose.
Translation: Teresa Langle de Paz.
LA DÉCLARATION DE GRANADA
(July 2009)
At the Third Conference of Voices Mediterranean, held in Granada, Spain from 6 to 0 in July 2009, it was decided to make a statement. The main purpose of this document is to alert the international community - and especially those countries that subscribe to the Alliance of Civilizations and other national and international entities - two important facts: that the women of the Mediterranean region are trying to build bridges, encourage dialogue and understanding, and that their experiences are extremely diverse and complex. The Declaration urges all governments, particularly those representing Mediterranean countries to join the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the recommendations of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), to implement measures and policies for gender equality. We believe these actions will benefit not only women but all members of society.
The three consecutive Voices Mediterranean (Rome 2007, Madrid 2008, Granada, 2009), brought together over one hundred women cultures, social strata and different geographical locations. They have agreed on a common feminist and progressive: a commitment to change attitudes and to inspire political action that will contribute to the development of a Mediterranean region peaceful, prosperous and stable. Thus, participants' Mediterranean Voices in the National Plan for the Alliance of Civilizations, and made possible by the cooperation of the Menendez Pelayo International University and other supporting institutions, have agreed to take this initiative and for submit to the English President, José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. We ask him to submit this initiative to the High Representative of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, as well as all governments of the Alliance of Civilizations and allied countries. We firmly believe, and are encouraged by the belief that gender equality and freedom, the political visibility of women, their economic and social recognition and active participation in decision-making are essential for the consolidation of societies based on democratic rights for all. So: 1 .-
WE DEMAND of urgent, concrete and immediate steps to bring to end human rights violations against women in the Mediterranean region. Women have lived and still live in a condition of permanent emergency because of these violations of their human rights. We subscribe to the Beijing Declaration (1995) and Resolution 1325 (2007) Security Council of the United Nations and the Ministerial Conclusions on the Role of Women in Society, decided to document Istanbul (2006), among other documents related to that which we also subscribe. 2 .-
WE REFUSE be considered a minority. We are the group share the world's largest (52% of world population). And WE DECLARE that access to political power is a right women. Women are active members of society and, as such, it must be regarded as fully equal citizens. We strongly demand fairness and parity in decision-making positions and in all aspects of public life and politics. 3 .-
WE WANT RESTATE that women are agents of society, thus, gender inequalities do not affect only women but society at large, and represent a real danger to democracy and peace processes. Gender inequality exacerbates existing conflicts and have a devastating effect on women in general. As governments and international institutions will not remedy the emergency condition in which many millions of women, because of the effects of sexism and violations of human rights, it will be impossible to move towards the resolution of contemporary problems major, especially, war, poverty and environmental destruction. WE URGE structural changes in the political and social. Gender shapes and affects the lives of women so intersectional and in all spheres of social life. We ask that the HDI (Human Development Index) must be taken into account, especially for women living in the Mediterranean region, and that we women will definitely take an active part in these changes. 4 .-
FIRMLY WE DEMAND that economic models based on ethical and solidarity, alliances, cooperation, respect for the environment and the diversity that women bring out in their communities, are integrated into public life. WE PROPOSE that policy review and integrate these examples of practical measures in their policies in the Mediterranean region in order to build hope, peace and prosperity together. We want to add a special mention for the women of the so-called Fourth Culture, gypsy culture, we strongly support their right to a full recognition and active participation in public life. 5 .-
WE STRONGLY ASK that unpaid work and labor of women are recognized, especially those women household members and caretakers of their families, seniors and dependents, and those women who are aud their employers as domestic workers. We DEMAND that the concept of the working population should be revised to include women in all spheres of society as a productive force. Specifically, we propose that the legal status of caregivers is included in the laws of inheritance to improve their legal rights with respect to these same laws. 6 .-
WE BELIEVE UNANIMOUSLY a secular and democratic society where freedom of thought and belief is guaranteed, is an essential condition for the women of the Mediterranean region to develop and realize their full potential as human beings. We know that women have borne the burden of religion and culture for centuries. We are alarmed by the wave of religious conservatism that is occurring, and are aware of the negative influence of strong religious conservatism in some policy areas, and in the daily lives of women, especially young people. Thus, we request additional educational efforts and immediate initiatives to counter this phenomenon and to guarantee women's freedom in religious practices. 7 .-
WE WANT TO EMPHASIZE the trap of multiculturalism "because, name of identity, cultural diversity and tradition, we see a dangerous relativism, universal human rights over women. We want to actively support programs and information campaigns that promote respect for diversity and unity of all despite our differences. However, we ask that these initiatives be placed in the context of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 8 .-
WITH DETERMINATION WE AFFIRM that we women do not want to be submitted in the name of religion, or the name of culture and traditions. We want to participate freely in society as citizens full with all our rights. WE INSIST that the gradual transformation towards a Mediterranean unified, prosperous, just, egalitarian and peaceful, does not leave women behind. Specifically, we want to participate actively in the development of economic policies aimed to improve employment opportunities and professions for women, as well as create the infrastructure necessary for the independence of women and their productive role in society . 9 .-
WE DEMAND that the existing international governmental organizations and entities for the human rights of women be strengthened, specifically, the initiative of the Alliance of Civilizations and the adjoining National Plans. Finally, we ask that the same enhancement is implemented for women and social movements that exist in every society in the Mediterranean same purpose.
Translation French: Bernice Dubois.
