The working group conducted its first assessment of discrimination against women in Hungary between May 17 and May 27. Raday, who is also a law professor at the College of Management Academic Studies in Israel, said the government should consider the elimination of gender discrimination a priority.

It can do this by helping to educate children on gender equality and human rights and by employing the help of human rights institutions and the media, she said. Raday noted that Hungary’s constitution ensures equal rights for men and women and protects the institution of family.

She said that as the fundamental unit of society, the family does indeed have a right to constitutional safeguards, but conservative family values should not be used to undermine gender equality or women’s political, economic and social rights.

Strengthening the role of women and protecting their rights is essential for the well-being of families, she said. Raday said Hungary is ranked 99th in a field of 145 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index.

She noted that a mere 10% of Hungary’s MPs are women and that there are no women at all among the members of the government. She added, however, that the government has introduced a number of measures that have made it easier for women to balance work and family life.

Source: www.hungarymatters.hu
Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

MTI photo: Máthé Zoltán