Importance of women's political empowerement - Gurmai Zita

Attila Benedek – Márta Bonifert
Importance of women's political empowerment
Summary of major activities of
the CEE Network
(1994-2011)
Background
The transition period in Central and Eastern Europe has not been even. It posed numerous
political, economic and social challenges. Women have experienced a heavy burden in this
process due to their unequal status. Moreover, in setting transition priorities gender equality
was often marginalized.
Socialist and social-democratic parties have been a strong political force to promote gender
equality in the political arena. From engendering party politics through the use of the quota
system to the training for women for public functions and politics, these parties and their
women’s wings have made a difference. The European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity,
the Party of European Socialists (PES) and the CEE Network on Gender Issues were vehicles
to turn this policy into practice in the region.
Track Record
CEE Network for Gender Issues has been established, under the auspices of the European
Forum for Democracy and Solidarity (Regional NGO initiated by the Party of European
Socialists – PES) in 1994. Its main activities were directed towards:
- The analysis of political, social, and economic trends as they relate to gender equality
in Central and Eastern European countries, the identification of challenges and
strategy formulation for socialist and social-democratic parties and their women’s
wings.
- Fostering dialogue, through the establishment of a gender network throughout the
region and with counterparts in other parts of Europe in order to help accession
countries to fulfil EU gender equality standards and particularly prepare for the
European Parliament elections.
- Raising awareness on gender issues in CEE within the European Forum, PES, SI and
SIW.
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