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“In comparison to other countries, Latvia has achieved good results with regard to equal rights and equal representation for women. In our country, women are successful in politics, business, academia, as well as other areas significant for national development,” said Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Thursday, 4 October, while chairing the session on gender equality in parliaments held within the framework of the Meeting of Women Speakers of Parliaments taking place in New Delhi, the capital of India.

“In Latvia, women constitute approximately 30% of entrepreneurs and more than 30% of rectors or presidents of higher education institutions. Twenty-three women have been elected to the Saeima in free and democratic elections without any additional gender equality tools. Although these statistical data testify to Latvia’s achievements in gender equality, it has to be admitted that stereotypes and prejudices that have to be eradicated still exist,” indicated Āboltiņa.

The Speaker emphasised that participation of women in politics has to be supported on the local and national level, as well as on the global level. “By sharing experience, women speakers can increase public participation in political processes. Latvia’s experience, from the birth of ideas on gender equality in the beginning of the previous century until the development of a democratic and civic society during the last 20 years, can be useful and is worth studying by other countries,” said Āboltiņa.

On Thursday, 4 October, the Speaker of the Saeima chaired a session on gender equality in parliaments; the session addressed issues such as tools for facilitating gender equality in parliaments, the need to achieve a balance between career and family, as well as the internal culture of parliaments.

The Meeting is hosted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union together with the Indian Parliament. Founded in 1889 and uniting the parliaments of 155 countries, the Inter-Parliamentary Union is the largest and oldest interparliamentary organisation.

Pictures from the meeting are available at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/saeima/sets/72157631681437211/
When using the material, please give credit to the Saeima Chancellery.


Saeima Press Service