WHY GENDER EQUALITY?

Why does ARPGE consider gender equality such a priority?

In 2000, the Romanian edition of Playboy magazine published an article titled, "How to Beat Your Wife Without Leaving any Marks."

According to a 2002 United Nations survey, 45 percent of Romanian women have been verbally abused, 30 percent physically abused, and 7 percent sexually abused. These figures do not take into account the many instances of abuse that go unreported. Romania has recently adopted legislation empowering the authorities to investigate domestic violence and to establish shelters in every county. Still, however, no specific law addresses spousal abuse or rape, and the prosecution of rape cases is extremely difficult because it requires both a medical certificate and a witness.

Recent laws prohibit gender discrimination, including sexual harassment. Little help is available to help victims deal with these or other forms of discrimination, however. Women have equal access to education yet more women are unemployed, occupy fewer influential positions in the private sector, and earn lower wages. While there are no restrictions on the participation of women in government, only one of the 42 appointed county prefects and about 10 percent of the members of Parliament are women. Homosexuality was made legal in Romania in 2002 yet brutality against and harassment of homosexuals often goes unreported and unpunished.

Trafficking is a growing threat; many women are forced into prostitution or other forms of slavery. Poor women answer advertisements offering positions abroad as housekeepers, dancers, or waitresses, unaware that once they cross the border, they will be forced into prostitution. Traffickers use intimidation techniques like physical violence and torture.

Americans visiting Romania in the early 21st century see bright women pursuing advanced degrees and capable women protesting domestic abuse yet in casual conversations hear people say things like: "abused women are asking for it by dressing and acting provocatively." "Homosexuals are freaks who need to keep their disgusting secret to themselves." "It's all right to beat your wife as long as you don't leave any marks."

Click here to find out more about some of the gender inequality issues that face women and men in Romania. Click here.

American-Romanian Partnership for Gender Equality
P.O. Box 34374, Washington DC 20043