Gender Equality takes a new leap in UBC

As part of the long term goal for all citizens within the Union of Baltic Cities, is to achieve gender equality in our communities. This Commission on Gender Equality can be used as a resource, and for supporting gender equality issues.

The main task for the UBC Commission on Gender Equality will be to increase the importance of gender issues and gender mainstreaming as a strategy toward democracy.

There are several focus areas of great importance for the development of our region and for the well-being of the citizens. The Commission plans to focus on three specific areas. These are: combating prostitution and trafficking, gender aspects on the labour market and finally, social planning - urban planning and planning work.

These focus areas are of vital significance and play an important role in the development of the quality of life for both women and men in the Baltic Sea cities and region.

Sharing best practices, experiences and knowledge is one way of moving ahead and this is part of a planned increased cooperation regarding gender issues.

Increasing awareness of gender issues within the focus areas is an important part of the common goal of achieving gender equality. The Commission can play a vital role in supporting, strengthening and accelerating the work on gender equality in the UBC.

The Commission will be led by Umea Municipality in the region of the North of Sweden. Umea has been working with gender equality questions for several years. Umea has a Gender Equality Committee that works close to the municipal council. The committee, as well as other politicians and employees, have a vast experience of working with gender equality which hopefully will be beneficial to the UBC. Umea hopes that experiences from active work with gender mainstreaming will help the Commission to reach out to the member cities and to be of qualitative and inspiring support.

The main aim of 2007 will be to gather the commission and arrange a meeting. It is important that all members in the commission feel familiar with the three focus areas. The commission will meet in order to set up strategies and goals for a successful gender equality work.