92000E2174

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2174/00

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 July 2000)

Subject: Improving the living conditions of country women in the mountainous areas of Málaga province (Spain)

The experience of many country women living in mountainous areas in Málaga province (Spain) is one of total isolation which in certain cases stems from a lack of information.

Efforts are therefore being made by the local authorities to overcome such women's isolation and lack of information by dispatching local multi-disciplinary teams whose job is to alleviate unemployment amongst women (which is much higher than the corresponding figure for men) and, in short, to improve the living conditions of women who, on account of extensive shortages and poverty, survive in an environment of permanent hostility.

What scope is there under Community policy for making improvements to the difficult living conditions of the women in question, who, by comparison with working women in other rural areas who enjoy more comfortable living conditions, are the victims of isolation?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 September 2000)

The Commission has already received information on this region in the documents submitted in the context of the rural development programmes and Community Support Framework, which stress the isolation of women, the problems arising from rural unemployment and the need for training and better living conditions.

The rural development programmes make it possible to help women working in agriculture, particularly by aiding investment and the installation of women farmers, by diversifying rural activities towards tourism and crafts in particular, by developing services, including childcare, transport and infrastructure, and by improving living conditions, including the cultural aspects that contribute thereto.

In addition to the rural development programmes, which have to take account of equal opportunities as laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regulations(1), the Leader+ Community initiative must include specific measures for rural women. In addition, the European Social Fund offers measures relating more specifically to training and employment, as does the Employment initiative.

While the Commission encourages measures in this field, it is for the national and regional authorities to include them in their programmes and to carry them out with due regard to the principle of equal opportunities.

Moreover, the Spanish Women's Institute, which has branches in every region, has taken many initiatives on training and employment for women. Some of the measures put forward for structural funding will make it possible to part-finance these activities.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.