A new page

"Men and women: the new matter at stake" is the theme of the Social Weeks of France (November 23-25). Over 3000 lay Catholics attended the workshops at the Great Hall in Parc Floreal. The first day was devoted to the dynamics of equality and diversity in the sociological and political realms, in order to analyze the state of affairs of man-woman relations. Sir Europe hereby proposes some of the reflections emerged during the debate, which highlighted the need to turn a new page in man-woman relations. From proclaimed to effective equality. "Overcoming stereotypes" and "fighting against domination models" are the words that were echoed more often, in the speakers’ shared awareness that "man-woman equality is one of the principles that measure the advancement of a society", said François Ernenwein, chief editor of "La Croix". "Although the right to family and work has recorded changes in mentality that accompanied the emancipation of women – he added – the debate on equality does not exempt from delving into its significance. Equality does not mean uniformity. Account should be taken of what makes the difference between genders, and their specific contribution to the common good". Also the Minister for Gender Equality Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, listing the French government’s commitments for true man-woman equality said: "Equality is not a struggle between the two sexes. It is a lever to advance society".Enigma that calls us into question. "The expression of the enigma and the tension between man-woman otherness is as old as the hills. What is really new is that men and women are no longer forced to grow old together". This sums up the picture depicted by Jacques Arènes, a psychoanalyst, who has thus deepened his thought: "Women can do without men to have and raise children. Men have abandoned the desire of a progeny, an amazing thing when considering how important it was for men to establish a lineage". The couple today, explained the psychologist, "has become a more fraternal but also ‘anxious’ space, where the question ‘what do you want from me?" Has never been so strong. This question about the opposite sex triggers a self-questioning. While the evidence of the masculine has been for a long time opposed to the enigma of the feminine, today even the masculine has become an enigma. The fabric of a living difference lies in the ability of each one to continue to interrogate the enigma of the other, whilst continuing to remain together".The replies of the European Union. "Poverty in Europe today is feminine and risks being so more and more, especially among women over the age of 65", denounced Commissioner Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission, in her speech. Reding also highlighted "the unequal treatment in pay between men and women with same job responsibilities, so that women earn on average 20% less". In concrete terms Reding indicated as a path to follow the commitment to ensure "more women in politics and in the economy". The Commissioner said: "it is through the sharing of responsibilities between men and women that changes may arise", "there is a need of women who present themselves as models for other women". Moreover, 60% of graduates, at European level, are women, "but these talents are then dispersed and wasted when women reach the stage of motherhood". Commissioner Reding expressed words of condemnation against the rampant phenomenon of violence against women, which "is everywhere". Hence the commitment of the Commissioner to adopt legislation for the protection of women, but in general for a policy that "in all areas will takes into account the theme of gender equality".A building yard for the future. "Public authorities can play a central role in helping to promote equality between men and women. First, maintaining and intensifying efforts to develop services for young children or prompting men to be more involved in greater care work, for example by resorting to parental leave reserved to the fathers". This is one of concrete proposals by Claude Martin, a sociologist and researcher. "Another workshop of the future is to evolve the male worker model, always available, based on the fact that his job does not represent the totality of his existence. There are, for example, mechanisms that reward the most innovative companies in this field, recognized as ‘family friendly’, i.e. a mark of quality related to family life. Today "the most important problem is that gender equality is threatened by the jobs crisis, by the growth of instability. The ongoing crisis risks consolidating forms of inequality not only between genders, but also between social classes and generations".