Magdalena Środa
Encyclopedia
Magdalena Środa is a Polish philosopher, professor of ethics at the University of Warsaw
, and a feminist author. She is also a columnist
for the "Gazeta Wyborcza
". She was government's Plenipotentiary for the Equal Status of Women and Men in the cabinet of Marek Belka
between August 16, 2004 and November 4, 2005.
In 1980s Magdalena Środa was active in Solidarność movement. After 1989 she would not be involved in politics until 2004, when she was appointed by PM Marek Belka
as the government's Plenipotentiary for the Equal Status of Women and Men. She has been advocating the separation of State and Church, LGBT rights, and more liberal abortion law. She is also known for her consistently anti-war stance on foreign policy.
In December 2004 there was a controversy over Środa's statement during an international conference on honour killings in Stockholm
. When asked about the situation in Poland, she told Reuters
: "Catholicism does not directly support or oppose violence against women. But there are indirect links through culture which is strongly based on religion". These words were widely quoted in Polish media and sparked a public discussion about violence against women.
Another controversy blew up in March 2008 when Środa spoke publicly against the idea of protective measures for pregnant women in labour relations. When criticised by parts of feminist movement for neglecting issues of social and economic justice, she responded: "either we do fight for serious treatment on labour markets or for the role of a holy cow because of an inseminated egg".
Her academic research is focused on questions of individualism and its different critiques (from postmodern, feminist and communitarian positions) as well as on the ethics and politics of gender relations.
Top candidate to the European Parliament
in 2009 from the list of red-orange-green coalition of SDPL-PD-Zieloni 2004 (recommended by Zieloni 2004) in Łódź region. She received 10 798 votes (2,25% of all votes in her region). Coalition did not pass 5% threshold.
University of Warsaw
The University of Warsaw is the largest university in Poland and one of the most prestigious, ranked as best Polish university in 2010 and 2011...
, and a feminist author. She is also a columnist
Columnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
for the "Gazeta Wyborcza
Gazeta Wyborcza
Gazeta Wyborcza is a leading Polish newspaper. It covers the gamut of political, international and general news. Like all the Polish newspapers, it is printed on compact-sized paper, and is published by the multimedia corporation Agora SA...
". She was government's Plenipotentiary for the Equal Status of Women and Men in the cabinet of Marek Belka
Second Cabinet of Marek Belka
The Second Cabinet of Marek Belka was appointed on June 11, 2004, passed the vote of confidence in parliament on June 24, 2004, and October 15, 2004.-The Cabinet:...
between August 16, 2004 and November 4, 2005.
In 1980s Magdalena Środa was active in Solidarność movement. After 1989 she would not be involved in politics until 2004, when she was appointed by PM Marek Belka
Marek Belka
Marek Marian Belka is a Polish professor of Economics, a former Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Poland, former Director of the International Monetary Fund's European Department and current Head of National Bank of Poland.- Biography :...
as the government's Plenipotentiary for the Equal Status of Women and Men. She has been advocating the separation of State and Church, LGBT rights, and more liberal abortion law. She is also known for her consistently anti-war stance on foreign policy.
In December 2004 there was a controversy over Środa's statement during an international conference on honour killings in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
. When asked about the situation in Poland, she told Reuters
Reuters
Reuters is a news agency headquartered in New York City. Until 2008 the Reuters news agency formed part of a British independent company, Reuters Group plc, which was also a provider of financial market data...
: "Catholicism does not directly support or oppose violence against women. But there are indirect links through culture which is strongly based on religion". These words were widely quoted in Polish media and sparked a public discussion about violence against women.
Another controversy blew up in March 2008 when Środa spoke publicly against the idea of protective measures for pregnant women in labour relations. When criticised by parts of feminist movement for neglecting issues of social and economic justice, she responded: "either we do fight for serious treatment on labour markets or for the role of a holy cow because of an inseminated egg".
Her academic research is focused on questions of individualism and its different critiques (from postmodern, feminist and communitarian positions) as well as on the ethics and politics of gender relations.
Top candidate to the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
in 2009 from the list of red-orange-green coalition of SDPL-PD-Zieloni 2004 (recommended by Zieloni 2004) in Łódź region. She received 10 798 votes (2,25% of all votes in her region). Coalition did not pass 5% threshold.
Books by Magdalena Środa
- 1993: Idea godności w kulturze i etyce (The Idea of Dignity in Culture and Ethics)
- 2003: Indywidualizm i jego krytycy (Individualism and its Discontents)
- 2009: Kobiety i władza (Women and Power)