First meeting of the Women’s Rights Committee

Working session of the Women’s Rights Committee © Government Communication Department – Michael Alesi

The Women’s Rights Committee met this morning to mark International Women’s Day. With Chairman Mr Gilles Tonelli, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and the other members of the Committee in attendance.

The meeting provided an opportunity to review the actions undertaken since the Committee’s establishment on 30 November, and to set out guidelines to be implemented and followed.

In his speech, Gilles Tonelli recalled the context and international aspects of the Committee’s work, noting that “one of its tasks will be to coordinate implementation of the commitments undertaken by the Principality under the conventions to which it is a party.”

For her part, Women’s Rights Officer Céline Cottalorda presented an overview of the current state of affairs and expectations on the ground.

Sophie Vincent, Director of the Monegasque Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (IMSEE), then provided an update on the studies being carried out to quantify any gender pay gaps, and on the introduction of indicators to record violence against women.

The meeting was also an opportunity to announce the immediate launch of four measures:

The creation of a dedicated social platform for the Committee

The allocation of grants to women’s rights charities
The tabling of a bill to extend basic maternity leave from 16 to 18 weeks
A legal review to update regulations that contain obsolete provisions

In addition, in line with the commitments made by the Committee, thematic working groups were set up to enable participants to meet regularly and advance women’s rights.

The working groups will focus on the following themes and tasks:

Professional training group: improve professional training on working with victims
Prevention/education group: promote gender equality by strengthening awareness efforts aimed at all audiences
Communication/awareness group: create a dedicated website for the Committee and women’s rights
Studies and statistics group: continue studies on pay and on violence

This work will be monitored and a review will be discussed at the Committee’s next meeting, to be held before the end of 2019.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the relevant government bodies and the Department of Justice, elected members of the National Council and Monaco City Hall, the High Commissioner for the Protection of Rights, Liberties and for Mediation, the Economic and Social Council, and representatives from charities working to protect women’s rights.

At the end of the meeting, Studio de Monaco presented 53 ans (53 Years), a theatrical piece directed by Christelle Revel in which three childhood friends approaching their thirtieth birthdays talk about the day they will become mothers. A novel and original way of talking about today’s women as we celebrate International Women’s Day.