Agenda Profile: Reili Rand
Draft law (583 SE) for the second reading on 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(1) of the Convention.
2025-04-23
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is one of strong support for accession to the Optional Protocol to CEDAW, emphasizing this as both a moral obligation and a necessity to protect Estonian women whose domestic legal remedies have been exhausted. The framework of the draft bill is value-based (justice, accountability) and political, focusing on the implementation of international human rights mechanisms. The speaker stresses that this is not a pseudo-issue, but a decision concerning the future of Estonia.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in international human rights law (CEDAW Optional Protocol) and social statistics, highlighting specific data concerning intimate partner violence (41%) and the gender pay gap (over 13% in 2023). They explain the mechanism's operation using technical terminology, describing it as a "valve" and a "lever" for exceptional cases. Furthermore, they reference economic studies (McKinsey, European Commission) regarding the economic benefits of gender equality.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is serious, insistent, and slightly combative, particularly in criticism directed at opponents, demanding that the debate be taken seriously. Balanced appeals are utilized, combining emotional calls (moral compass, responsibility) with specific statistical data and legal arguments. The discourse is formal and direct, avoiding lengthy narratives, focusing instead on facts and systemic change.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
There is insufficient data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the "conservative factions," who are being criticized for trivializing the issue and conducting an unserious debate. The opponents are further accused of employing irony (for instance, questions regarding 150 genders) and labeling international protection as nothing more than additional bureaucracy. The speaker demands that the opponents address the problems seriously instead of deflecting.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker, representing the Social Democrats, urges the members of the Riigikogu to support the adoption of the bill, emphasizing the necessity of taking a unified step. This demonstrates a desire to achieve broad-based support in resolving this important human rights issue.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is distinctly national (Estonian women's rights, Estonian citizens) and international, highlighting Estonia's position within the systems of the European Union, the Council of Europe, and the UN. Local or regional topics are not covered.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives emphasize that gender equality is not an obstacle to the economy, but rather a prerequisite for it. According to international analyses, a more equal society enhances the competitiveness of businesses, boosts productivity, and increases innovation. Therefore, social progress is directly linked to economic growth.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Among social issues, the dominant topics are women's rights and protection against intimate partner violence, highlighting the statistic that 41% are victims. The necessity of tackling the gender pay gap is also emphasized, with strong support for promoting equality and creating systemic change.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is the adoption of the draft law (583 SE) concerning the accession to the Optional Protocol to CEDAW and the approval of the amendment to Article 20, paragraph 1 of the Convention. The speaker is a strong supporter of this initiative, seeing it as a concrete step toward ensuring justice and supplementing domestic mechanisms.
1 Speeches Analyzed