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Theme of the day of 28 January 2008

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Votes in the Women's committee


© European Parliament Christa KLASS MEP EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament
© European Parliament Marie PANAYOTOPOULOS-CASSIOTOU MEP EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament

 On Monday 28 January, two reports will be voted upon in the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality. Christa Klass MEP (Germany) has authored a report on the situation of women in rural areas, and Marie Panayatopoulos-Cassiotou MEP (Greece) is rapporteur of the report on the situation of women in prison.


56% of the total population of the EU lives in rural areas (92% of the territory). In her draft report, Christa Klass notes the wide diversity in rural regions where the "out-migration" of females in the economically active age groups continues to result in a degree of "masculinisation" of the rural population, with negative consequences for quality of life and fertility rates. To improve this situation, the rapporteur suggests a wide range of measures, for example the support by Member States of the transition from agricultural-based areas to broader economic-based rural areas, the development of services in rural areas (postal services, broadband services, sport centres), and the improvement of education and childcare facilities.


Women constitute an average of 5% of the total prison population in Europe (from under 3% in Poland to nearly 8% in Spain). More than half have at least one child. In her report on the situation of women in prison and the impact of the imprisonment of parents on social and family life, Marie Panayotopoulos MEP, expresses a set of recommendations to Member States concerning conditions in prison, maintaining of family ties, and social and professional reintegration. The report also asks Member States to adopt a comprehensive prison health policy in particular in what concerns physical and mental disorders and addictions.


Press release:
29/01/2008 Women in prison. Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality adopts report by Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP enfr

Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality
Report by Christa Klass MEP *.pdf
Report by Marie Panayotopoulos MEP *.pdf

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