Anne Negre
The costs of gender-based violence in the European Union
Although a price cannot be put on women’s lives and suffering, estimating the lost economic output and public spending on health, legal, social and specialised services with regard to gender-based violence can create a better understanding of the extent and associated costs of this phenomenon.
Gender-based violence is a widespread phenomenon in the European Union, affecting women disproportionally – in 2012, one in three women aged 15 or over experienced physical and/or sexual violence.
“Recently, some Members States of CoE and EU have started to evaluate the cost of violence against women. The sums are very important with the lack of success that we know. Moreover, in these reports that I was able to read, the methodology was specific to each state so the comparisons were difficult. But it was a start to see that prevention is essential because it is effective and costs less. While knowing that the physical and psychological damages are difficult to quantify in money and that they are obviously less important in the framework of prior actions to stop violence against women.
This EIGE study on The costs of gender-based violence in the European Union can provide you some information about the progress of these reflections, about this prevention on which our actions could be based. ” Dr. Anne Bergheim-Nègre, President of University Women of Europe
The cost of Gender based violence in EU study can be downloaded here
This report focuses on updating estimates of the costs of gender-based and intimate partner violence in the United Kingdom in 2019. These estimates are then extrapolated from the United Kingdom to EU Member States. This updated study on the costs of gender-based violence in the EU is accompanied by a critical review of studies carried out within the EU to estimate the costs of gender-based and intimate partner violence that have been published since EIGE’s 2014 study. This review provides a set of lessons learned for future costing studies at European level and recommendations for estimating the costs of gender-based violence at Member State and EU levels.
This study is accompanied by a technical report, which provides details on the method and data used for the cost estimation for the UK case study, as well as the extrapolation of the results to the EU Member States.
EIGE: https://eige.europa.eu/publications/costs-gender-based-violence-european-union
Season’s Greetings from the UWE Board
Year after year, we look forward to this special time of the year, when all the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives fade away, and we devote ourselves, at least for a short time, to the really essential things in life.
Merry Christmas for those who are celebrating and a Happy New Year! Hope to see you in 2022, together we are strong!
There are many positive, but also negative feelings from this year. It is important that we have learned from all and we are looking forward into the next year. Our year 2021 can be characterised as a year of:
CHANGES
We had to change our style of work when we are not able to travel and meet. Online communication became the most important aspect of our daily work.
CHALLENGES
We like challenge, it gives us the opportunity to learn. During the year we have faced many of them, online conference and meet & greet events, electronic voting at our Annual General Meeting.
NEW IDEAS
Some new projects, webinars and new ideas aroused, which we would like to introduce in the future.
GROWTH
We welcomed new members, two organizations from France and Italy joined UWE.
Women of Europe Awards 2021
We are delighted to announce that UWE President Anne Nègre has been shortlisted for the 2021 Women of Europe Awards in the Woman in Business category. She was nominated by the University Women of Europe for her efforts in raising awareness of the Istanbul Convention, organising events at the Council of Europe to understand the obstacles to its implementation, having a recommendation voted by the Conference of INGOs, highlighting women’s movements in various countries and organizing training on LGBTI rights.
The Women of Europe Awards are jointly organised by the European Movement International and the European Women’s Lobby, building upon the national awards of several National European Movement Councils.
In 2021, the Women of Europe Awards’ celebrate its sixth anniversary. Indeed, the Women of Europe Awards were launched in 2016, to highlight the contribution of women in promoting and advancing European issues, and to increase the involvement of women in debates about Europe and its future. While the role of women in the European project remains largely unrecognised, the awards aim to acknowledge and showcase their inspiring initiatives which lend a voice to women across Europe and defend European values such as democracy, inclusion and diversity.
Women of Europe Awards, 2021 Edition
Date: Wednesday, 1 December 2021
Time: 16:00-17:00 CET
This edition of the Women of Europe award ceremony will be held online. The event will be live streamed on the European Movement’s Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn pages.
This year’s distinguished jury consists of female leaders from all walks of life across Europe, including
– Eva Maydell MEP, Group of the European People’s Party, President of the European Movement International
– Réka Sáfrány, President of European Women’s Lobby
– Maria Atanasova, Volunteer & Advocate for Integration of Roma Youth; winner of the Woman in Youth Activism award in 2020
– Elizabeth Adams, on behalf of the European Federation of Nurses Associations, which won the Women in Action award in 2020
– Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra
– Sylwia Spurek MEP, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance
– Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen, Director General of the Commission’s DG Communications, European Commission
– Federica Mogherini, Rector, College of Europe
– Asha Allen, Advocacy Director of the Centre for Democracy & Technology Europe
– Pirkko Mahlamaki, Secretary General of the Finnish Disability Forum
Shortlisted nominees in each category include:
Woman in Power | showing extraordinary political leadership in Europe
Kauthar Bouchallikht, Dutch Politician and Climate Activist
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany
Silvia Costa, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Italian Government
Woman in Action | undertaking extraordinary actions at grassroots level in Europe
Jenny Rasche, Founder and Chairwoman of the Association “Kinderhilfe Für Siebenbürgen E.V.”
Ineta Ziemele, Judge at the Court of Justice of the European Union
Gina Miller, Activist and Anti-Brexit Campaigner
Woman in Business | advancing European integration with entrepreneurial spirit
Dr Özlem Türeci, Physician, Immunologist, Lecturer and Entrepreneur
Anne Nègre, Lawyer on Behalf of UWE
Tijen Onaran, CEO & Founder of GDW Global Digital Women
Woman in Youth Activism | for women aged 15 to 30 strengthening the voice of young women in Europe
Greta Thunberg, Swedish Climate Change Activist
Zorana Milovanovic, Project Manager at Evropski Pokret U Srbiji
Zahra Karimy, Activist for Women’s and Children’s Rights
We encourage you to join the discussions on Twitter using the hashtag #WomenofEurope. You can also follow the event organisers @EMInternational & @EuropeanWomen. More information regarding the 2020 Women of Europe Awards edition, including list of shortlisted nominees and winners, is available here.
Meet & Greet – BFWG/IFUWA/UWE -19 June 2021
GLOBAL PANDEMIC BRINGS WOMEN GRADUATES TOGETHER WORLDWIDE
The President and members of the British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG – The British Federation of Women Graduates) have invited the President of Graduate Women International, Terry Oudraad, and members of University Women of Europe to join the members of the Indian Federation of University Women’s Association to stand in solidarity with India and other countries suffering from this humanitarian crisis, COVID-19.
19th June 2021 when women across the world will join together to show their support for the people of India and countries still in the grip of the virus, BFWG President Jasmit Phull will welcome all the members and this will be followed by a candle lighting ceremony to pay tribute to all lives lost due to COVID-19. Terry Oudraad, the Graduate Women International President, will address our members followed by IFUWA President Ranjana Banerjee and UWE President Dr. Anne Negre. Our speaker will share her recent true-life story, when she travelled from UK to India to look after her mother, who had COVID-19. Members will get a chance to share their own stories and thoughts. A moving global event shared through friendship and unity by the women graduates. The event will end with Peace Music.
Meet & Greet on Saturday 19 June 2021 at 3.30pm for BFWG members
4.30 pm CEST for UWE members and 8 pm for IFUWA members
Click here to see the AGENDA
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82569689019?pwd=bXRqZG1uWDdXcE5GSnlNRjY3THd3Zz09
Meeting ID: 825 6968 9019 Passcode: 065039
BFWG invites GWI President Terry Oudraad and members from UWE & IFUWA to join in solidarity with India
and other countries going through the humanitarian crisis due to Covid
An event not to be missed!
Sarah Claydon (BFWG Administrator) will help with the Zoom,
If you have any queries please contact Sarah on sarahclaydon@bfwg.org.uk
Celebrating International Women’s Day
For over a century, International Women’s Day, held on 8 March each year, has marked a day of celebration and advocacy for women’s rights and equality around the world.
Inspired by Workflowmax blog post, we share few excellent ways that you, your team and your community can celebrate International Women’s Day this year and do your part to advocate for gender equality.
Donate to charity
If you’re looking for a way to make a difference in a worthy cause this March, consider donating to a charitable organisation supporting women – either locally or globally.
On 9 March 2021, Community Empowerment Support Organisation (CESO), a British education charity started up by British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG) member Rita Edmond, will hold an online fundraising event to celebrate women’s day and the empowerment of girls in rural Sierra Leone. The fund raised through the event will be directed toward the completion and the furnishing of the Ivor Leigh Memorial School Nursery and Vocational Centre for young women in Kaningo, a city on the outskirt of Freetown, Sierra Leone. On this occasion, BFWG President Patrice Wellesley-Cole, will speak on the importance of female education in disadvantaged communities. Click HERE to learn more about the event on zoom and register.
Host or attend an online panel
Hearing women share their experiences, knowledge, and advice is one of the best ways to get inspired to make change. This year, as most of the world is gathering online instead of in-person, there are tons of great virtual events planned for International Women’s Day.
As you’re planning your celebrations, research some interesting events in your industry or community and encourage your friends, family, or team to register with you. Here’s a list of a few events to get you started:
- The sixty-fifth session of the Commission on the Status of Women /15 to 26 March 2021: Priority theme – Women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. The calendar of CSW65 side events is now available on the UN Women website, which may be found here: https://www.unwomen.org/en/csw/csw65-2021/side-events [Free]
- L’egalite salariale entre femmes et hommes en Europe un droit fundamental a realiser / 11 March 2021: Anne Negre, UWE President, Vice President INGO Conference CoE will give a speech about the collective complaints at this video conference in french. Click here to register [Free]
- She-EO’s Virtual 2021 Summit/ March 8-9th: Hear from cutting-edge thinkers, innovators, and women working on the ‘World’s To-Do List’ on what’s next for the economy, education, food security, housing and more. [Free]
- Women in Tech’s Tech(Know) Day /March 8: This online conference will showcase women in tech (cis, trans, non-binary) and their craft, as well as career, personal development, business and strategy insight. [Free]
Acknowledge the awesome women in your life
Sometimes, simple words of encouragement and love can go a long way in lifting someone up and inspiring them to keep going. Whether it’s your mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, girlfriend, or friend – send a text, call an important woman in your life to let them know how awesome they are.
Happy International Day
Mothers, Daughters, Visionaries, Queens, Rulers, Women!
Reaching out – in solidarity
The pandemic is a cruel time especially for the most vulnerable in our society whoever they are, particularly for bereaved families.
Today, across the globe more than half of humanity is confined, this is unheard of. Our democracies and human rights are affected, and especially the rights of vulnerable women.
We want to be united, attentive and concerned for each other and for our common future.
In particular, we need to have regard to the people who are suffering from daily violence, and especially women and children who are affected by domestic violence.
I would like to urge NFAs to lobby their governments to safeguard access to women suffering from domestic violence.
As well as ensuring support facilities for affected women and children, we also need to be aware of the need to continue to focus on prevention, including facilities for angry and violent men.
These need to be in place in every country, and therefore we would like all national associations to make a call to immediately ensure the existence of such facilities in each country.
Few interesting articles here:
Home is not a safe place for everyone (As “social distancing” is urged to contain the coronavirus outbreak , home is exactly where the danger lies for some)
The Impact of COVID-19 on ImmigrantSurvivors of Gender-Based Violence
Jess Phillips: Hotel need to house domestic violence victims during the coronavirus lockdown
We thank our Irish friends who had prepared a very interesting Meet & Greet for us, regrettably of course they had to cancel it. For the moment we are maintaining the AFFDU Centenary on September 17 and 18 and the AGM in Paris on September 19, we will open the registration if the situation allows.
We recognize that in these difficult times many of us are isolating at home, and have time on our hands. We also need to support each other, and stay in touch. Therefore we thought it would be a good idea to invite members to weekly contribute to our blog; as we are reaching out to all our members we thought a good name for this special newsletter would be ‘REACHING OUT – IN SOLIDARITY‘.
We welcome your thoughts, ideas and experiences. Feel free to send us at boarduwe@gmail.com approximately 400 words including spaces, on what you are experiencing, by means of texts, poems, paintings, or various artistic expressions. Exchanges can also take place if you wish via comments section below the article posted.
Keep safe and connected,
Dr. Anne Bergheim – Negré
President University Women of Europe
Recommendation on equality between women and men adopted by the Conference of INGOs
The recommendation on equality between women and men has been adopted by the Conference of INGOs on 30 October 2019.
This recommendation was proposed by Anne Nègre , President of University Women of Europe and Vice-President in charge of Equality with the participation of: Association of Women of Southern Europe (AFEM), University Women of Europe (UWE), and support by: European Centre of the International Council of Women (ECICW), European Network church on the Move (EN/RE), European Union of Women (EUW), Intereuropean Commission on Church and School (ICCS), International Alliance of Women (IAW), Soroptimist International Europe (SIE), Zonta International (ZI), European Buddhist Union (EBU), ANDANTE Europa, European Action of the Disabled, (AEH), Conference of European Churches (CEC).
Here you can read the entire text of the recommendation on equality between women and men. The Conference of INGOs calls on Members States to respect and defend this essential Human Rights assets.
english version or french version
Another concern is the drift of artificial intelligence, with its gender bias, that is uncontrolled, reproducing by increasing inequalities between women and men, the sexist abuses probably linked to the lack of women in science.
Artificial Intelligence is transforming the decision-making processes, it has become part of our daily life, changing our rights. Research had shown that currently AI is not gender neutral, so today gender equality is not done in algorithms. Also, only about 15% of programmers are female and this makes for a salary difference between women and men. AI reproduces the exclusion of vulnerable people, not only women.
Council of Europe adopts first-ever international legal instrument to stop sexism
The Recommendation on preventing and combating sexism has been adopted yesterday by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers.
In response to the #MeToo and other recent movements that have heightened awareness of persistent sexism in society, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers adopted the first-ever international legal instrument to stop sexism, which includes the first international definition of sexism.
UWE President Anne Nègre, as the representative of the Conference of INGOs, was in the writing group and is very happy of this result.
The recommendation stresses that sexism is a manifestation of “historically unequal power relations” between women and men, which leads to discrimination and prevents the full advancement of women in society.
Because it is “widespread and prevalent in all sectors and all societies, and (…) sexism and sexist behaviour are rooted in and reinforce gender stereotypes,” sexism is defined for the first time ever in a dedicated legal instrument to tackle it, via a comprehensive list of measures and areas where sexism occurs, from advertising and media, to employment, the justice sector, education and sport. The text in particular aims to shed light on what sexist behaviour is and proposes concrete ways for different actors to identify and address them.
It requests that member states monitor progress in implementing its guidelines and to inform the Council of Europe’s Gender Equality Commission of measures taken and progress achieved.
The recommendation aims to address issues with which women, but also sometimes, men, are confronted with every day. Notably, it makes the link between sexism and violence against women and girls, explaining that acts of “everyday” sexism are “part of a continuum of violence that create a climate of intimidation, fear, discrimination, exclusion and insecurity which limits opportunities and freedom.”
Examples of recommended action include legislative reforms that both condemn sexism and define and criminalise sexist hate speech, and provide for appropriate remedies for victims of sexist behaviour.
The recommendation calls on states to use awareness-raising measures including “speedy reactions” by public figures, in particular politicians, religious, economic and community leaders, and others in a position to shape public opinion, to condemn sexism.
The recommendation also stresses that language and communication “must not consecrate the hegemony of the masculine model”. It calls for the use of non-stereotypical communication to educate, raise awareness and prevent sexist behaviour. For example, it recommends ending the use of sexist expressions, and using gender-sensitive language.
The recommendation focuses, too, on recent technologies. While the internet and social media can promote free expression and gender equality, they also can allow “perpetrators” to express “abusive thoughts” and engage in abusive behaviour, the recommendation notes.
It takes into account artificial intelligence and how algorithms can “transmit and strengthen” existing gender stereotypes and therefore may contribute to the perpetuation of sexism.
Anne Negre – UWE President Candidate
UWE Board is pleased to inform you that the AFFDU and the members of the bureau support with great pleasure the candidature of Anne Nègre to the post of President of GEFDU / UWE.
Here you can read her biography and motivation letter and the letter of recommendation received from AFFDU together with her acceptance.
Anne is doing a great job for UWE on the European Social Charter and will give a speech about Equal Pay and the collective complaints at our Conference in Rome. She is the only candidate for the President and will be invited to present herself to be elected at the Annual General Meeting in Rome.
Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2018-2023
University Women of EUROPE 