When we seek to enhance the role of women in politics, nobody should perceive this objective as potentially implying discrimination against men or even any kind of infringement on their political input. The statistics in the IPU survey are quite significant to that effect. In other words, the objective is not to disadvantage men, but to establish a balance between men and women. My third reflection is that when we speak about women's participation in political life, we are not raising a feminist cause. The ultimate objective is democracy itself.
Democracy is enriched by differences.
It is even based on differences. Therefore, when we try to enhance women's contribution to political life, we have to bear in mind that some differences between men and women are useful. In other words, equality does not mean similarity. And the essence of partnership is to find a formula based on harmonious equilibrium. I am therefore fully confident that your deliberations and the final outcome of this Conference will constitute a positive step forward on the road towards full partnership between men and women in the service of human rights, the rule of law, sustainable development and democracy on both the national and international levels.