STATEMENT by
Ambassador Mirjana Mladineo
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Croatia
- Third Committee - Item 61: Advancement of Women
General Assembly, Sixty first Session
United Nations, New York
October 10, 2006
Mr. Chairman,
I would like to congratulate you, Mr. Chairman, and other members of the Bureau on your election to this Committee. Croatia aligned itself with the statement made by the EU under agenda 61, advancement of women. Therefore, we would like to concentrate on some steps that Croatia has recently taken.
Realization of the principle of equality between women and men is a precondition for the functioning of any democratic society. This principle has been embodied in the constitutions and laws of many countries and in all key international instruments. However, a practical realization of this principle does not follow its legal reality.
It is evident that women are globally very much under-represented in the decision making process. The percentage of women in the highest positions of executive authority as heads of state- presidents and heads of governments- prime ministers is still significantly low. However, data indicates that the representation of women in Parliaments shows larger improvements.
I am pleased to say that in Croatia a trend of women participating in executive authority has showed a significant increase. The percentage of women in Croatian Government reaches 35%, in legislative authority 21% while in judiciary women represent remarkable 61%.
As regards the representation of women in the area of foreign policy and diplomacy, Croatia is proud to be one of a dozen countries having a female foreign minister.
The review and amendment of existing electoral laws is a precondition to enhance women's equal participation. In the long run, it will result in the development of policies and programs building a critical mass of women in strategic economic, social and political positions, and thus having a genuine impact on political life of any country.
Mr. Chairman,
Gender equality is one of the highest values of the constitutional order of the Republic of Croatia. In order to ensure the protection of human rights of women and gender equality in Croatia, we have established strong national mechanisms.
The National Policy for the Promotion of Gender Equality for the period 2006 – 2010 has just recently been adopted in Croatian Parliament. It implements CEDAW Committee's concluding comments:
· creating equal opportunities in the labor market,
· introducing gender sensitive education,
· harmonizing the participation of women and men in the public and political decision-making processes,
· suppressing of all forms of violence against women,
· advancing the heath care system for women
· and further strengthening of institutional mechanisms.
Mr. Chairman,
Prevention of violence against women is the fundamental precondition for the achievement of gender equality and elimination of power imbalance between women and men leading to discrimination. Croatia joins efforts within the pan-European campaign of the Council of Europe in combating violence against women, including domestic violence.
Aside its own efforts, Croatian Government has established a firm partnership with a number of non-governmental organizations that play a significant role in the comprehensive process of promoting and implementing the advancement of women, gender equality policy and women's human rights.
Mr. Chairman,
Only our joint actions and complete dedication to the implementation of the objectives we are discussing at this Committee can further contribute to the advancement of women. We are dedicated to actively work towards it in particular since Croatia is for the second time a member of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) for the period 2006-2009.
We are also a State party to the CEDAW since 1992 and its Optional Protocol since 2001. At the end, allow me to use this opportunity to thank all of you who landed your valuable support to Croatian human rights expert dr. Dubravka šimonovic for her re-election in June 2006 to the CEDAW Committee.
Thank you.
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