Agenda Profile: Reili Rand
Draft law (583 SE) for the first reading regarding accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and approval of amendment to Article 20, paragraph 1, of the Convention.
2025-03-20
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political focus is centered on robust support for acceding to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, highlighting its fundamental and moral significance. This stance is deeply value-driven, criticizing opponents who dismiss equal opportunities as unnecessary bureaucracy, and underscoring the necessity of fulfilling international obligations. The speaker urges the ratification of the draft legislation on behalf of the Social Democrats.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the field of gender equality and international law (CEDAW), referencing specific studies and data. They highlight statistics concerning the wage gap (which has decreased by 11.7% since 2013), women's representation (31% in the Riigikogu), and intimate partner violence (experienced by 41% of women) in Estonia. Furthermore, they are familiar with EU directives concerning gender balance in the management bodies of listed companies and reference McKinsey studies.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is passionate, insistent, and at times confrontational, expressing disappointment and offense regarding colleagues' attitude toward the importance of the topic. The speaker utilizes both emotional appeals (e.g., moral obligation, the question of whether a woman is still considered a human being?) and fact-based argumentation, referencing international treaties and studies. The presentation is formal and includes historical context (1991, 1995 Beijing).
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The pattern of activity is focused on participation in the Riigikogu session, including asking questions to the minister and delivering a lengthy presentation during the first reading of the draft bill. Earlier participation as part of the Estonian delegation in Geneva for the defense of the CEDAW report last spring is mentioned.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Strong criticism has been leveled at the EKRE and Isamaa parliamentary groups, who are accused of trivializing and ridiculing the issue of women's equal opportunities. The criticism is values-driven, focusing on the opponents’ alleged low level of awareness and their inability to grasp the fundamental importance of the subject.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is acting on behalf of the Social Democratic faction, urging all Riigikogu members to support the ratification in order to settle the decades-long moral debt owed to Estonian women. Despite strong opposition, the objective remains achieving broad-based support for the bill.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is primarily on international obligations (the UN CEDAW convention) and national issues (the wage gap, intimate partner violence in Estonia). Local governments are also mentioned, and Estonia and Latvia are highlighted as the only EU countries that have not ratified the protocol.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic viewpoints emphasize the direct positive effect of gender diversity on economic growth, innovation, and competitive advantage, citing McKinsey research. Support is being given to implement the requirement for gender balance (40% women) in the management bodies of companies with state or municipal ownership, in line with the EU directive, specifically to avoid penalties.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issues are protecting women's rights and promoting gender equality, specifically reducing the wage gap and addressing the high level of intimate partner violence. It is emphasized that women's rights are human rights, and Estonia remains in a vulnerable position regarding these matters.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (583 SE), in order to give women an additional avenue to appeal to the UN Committee. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on the need to introduce changes regarding gender balance in the governing bodies of state-owned enterprises, in line with the relevant EU directive.
3 Speeches Analyzed