The Speaker of the Seimas noted that Lithuania achieved a significant breakthrough on these matters. Lithuanian citizens elected a woman as President of the Republic for the second time. Women are actively engaged in the work of the Seimas, the Government, public authorities and businesses.
Mrs Graužinienė was sceptical about gender quotas, “I consider this a bit insulting to women, as quotas might be perceived as a favour bestowed on women by men. I am of the opinion that personal competences, skills and experience must be a primary consideration.”
The Speaker of the Seimas expressed her belief that in order to encourage more women to take part in politics, it was very important to ensure that women elected to the Seimas were delegated to positions of responsibility, too.
Ms Mutsch observed that women’s contribution alone was not enough to ensure a balanced approach to gender equality, as this was a matter of common interest for both men and women.
Mrs Graužinienė went on to highlight equal opportunities when she referred to the disabled. She was convinced that it was necessary to change the attitudes of our society towards the disabled. “The able-bodied must be more adaptive to the needs of the differently-abled. The opinion that prevails in our society is quite the opposite, suggesting that it is the disabled who have to adapt. Such attitude is wrong,” the Speaker of the Seimas noted.
