Moving from Formal to Substantive Equality
INAUGURATION
Marcela Guerra Castillo
Senator of Mexico and Host of the Gathering
"We are aware that the goal of achieving effective gender equality surpasses the sphere of political participation exclusively – it is socially constructed – and seeks to fully integrate women rights in the social and economic life of our societies. And it is along these lines that we will work today and tomorrow. ParlAmericas has always created an ideal space for discussion between experts and member of parliaments about the paths to follow in order to reach the political agreements necessary to achieve real equality between the genders, that allow for a reduction in the existing gap between written law and practice. And this will not be an exception."
Juan Manuel Gómez Robledo
Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico
"Equality does not begin, nor does it end, in the political sphere … Patterns of discrimination in family, social, and private spheres have a direct impact on the lack of larger numbers of women in important positions in the political sphere or in the public sphere … Without a doubt there is much that remains to be done to achieve women’s participation under conditions of equality in our countries in all aspects of life, in social endeavours. Reaching higher levels of development and consolidating our democracies are aspirations that require us to work for complete inclusion in all spheres of society … I am sure [this forum] will be of great use to continue advancing towards this common goal."
Jennifer Simons
Speaker of the National Assembly of Suriname and President of the Group of Women Parliamentarians
"Formal equality is a fundamental assumption in our societies. Its principles have been used to remedy some of the most explicit forms of discrimination against women. Yet formal equality does not recognize difference as a source of disadvantage, and it can be used to dismiss the negative effects of power relations. Substantive or real gender equality, meanwhile, ensures that the application of laws and rules, as well as their outcomes, are not discriminatory. By pursuing substantive equality, we recognize the importance of context, including historical disadvantage, and how it impacts women’s lived experiences in our diverse countries …"