European Women’s Lobby
International Women’s Day 2020: 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration
In 1995, the UN’s 4th World Conference on women adopted Beijing Declaration, a resolution regarding the empowerment and advancement of women around the world. It set out strategic objectives to achieve gender equality in 12 areas, including the economy, violence against women, women in power and women and the environment.
In light of increasing global concerns of the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a conference to mark the anniversary of the Beijing Declaration planned by European Parliament’s women’s rights committee for 5 March was cancelled, the 64th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW64) was significantly sized down to a one-day procedural meeting with Member States’ New York-based representatives. Although the political statement and multi-annual work programme has been approved at this meeting, women’s civil society organisations from around the world missed this unique moment to bring the collective voices of women and girls, in all their diversity, to the international political table.
Sadly so far, the UN and UN Member States have not been forthcoming to reassure us or propose other ways in which Women’s Civil Society voices will still be brought to the . This lack of commitment is part of the broader concern of the increasingly shrinking space of women’s civil society. The UN system and the Member States must take proactive steps to support feminist women’s organisations, to ensure they are included and financially supported within upcoming UN processes for 2020, including the Generation Equality Forums in Mexico and Paris, and the UN General Assembly in New York.
“In times like this, we must remain vigilant and stand strong in the face of uncertainty, adversity, and instability. We continue to recognize the incredible work of women’s activists and feminists everywhere, and their ongoing efforts to ensure a feminist world where women and girls live free, equal and dignified lives. While we are physically divided, we are united in our vision for a feminist world.” Gwendoline Lefebvre, President, European Women’s Lobby
Ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March, EWL has published its report “25 years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995-2020): THE TIME TO DELIVER IS NOW!” The report looks back at progress made in the EU in the last five years in relation to some of the BPfA’s critical areas of concern, highlights key actions of EWL and its members, and identifies remaining obstacles, to which we present our demands.
Read more on the definition and causes of the gender pay gap
More on Parliament’s work regarding women’s rights:
Call for facilitators and participants for young women’s engagement workshop
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Reflection on EWL GA Brussels 7-9 June
Two of our board members attended the General Assembly for the European Women’s Lobby in Brussels 7-8 June: Annelies Pierrot – Bults, executive member of the assembly, Treasurer and Aisha Alshawaf as an Observer.
Unequal Pay Day – call for improved gender equality in the workplace
31 October marks the Equal Pay Day, the day from which women effectively work for free until the end of the year compared to their male counterparts. The gender pay gap currently stands at 16,2% in the European Union, exceeding 20% in countries like Estonia and Czech Republic. This adds to the gender inequalities women face across their life-cycle and affects each one of them differently, depending on their race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, level of education, location and other social or personal circumstances.
European Women’s Lobby and University Women of Europe are calling for increased efforts to end the gender pay gap. Even though the principle of equal pay for equal work was enshrined in the 1957 founding Treaty of the EU, European women continue to face discrimination in the job market and to earn less than men.
In addition, because women are paid less, they contribute less to their pensions and this translates into a wide pension gap and higher risk of poverty for older women. Their pension income is negatively influenced both by the gender pay gap and by the time spent out of the labor-market to care for children and other dependent family members, together with women’s over representation in part-time work and in low paid sectors of the economy.
To effectively tackle the gender pay gap, it is necessary to address its multiple and complex root causes, starting from the lack of high quality, accessible and affordable care services. As we have seen, women are penalized throughout their lives for the things they do to keep society functioning, that is care responsibilities. There are a number of important mechanisms already in place or in the pipe-line at the EU-level to lift this weight from women’s shoulders, and the EU Institutions need to demonstrate political will in putting them to use without delay.
One such measure is the so-called “Work-life Balance Directive”, for which the Council agreed its negotiating position (general approach) in June. The Proposal entails the strengthening of parental leave by making the 2 months period non-transferable, the introduction of a carers’ leave and the extension of flexible working arrangement for carers. While the scope of these measures has been sensibly reduced in comparison with the original Commission’s proposal, their adoption would enable women to retain their economic independence while having children and to return swiftly to payed work.
Therefore, we call for a swift adoption of the Proposal for a Directive on Work-Life Balance, followed by enforcement and monitoring. While it is not a magic wand, we believe that this would be a first step towards closing the gender pay gap and ensuring a more equal society for everybody.
Read the statement by the European Commission
Find here the action by PES Women for Unequal Pay Day
For More Information
Work Life Balance Eurobarometer
EIGE’s gender equality factsheets based on the results of EIGE’s Gender Equality Index 2017.
European Women’s Forum
European Women’s Forum is a dynamic five days of feminist activities. The events of the week, from EWL General Assembly to the public street event “Loud and united to end violence against women and girls” , will be a chance to come together and celebrate the success of the European’s Women’s Movement.
General Assembly agenda and documents
This year all documents for EWL General Assembly will ONLY be available through EWL members’ forum, the Living Room (and not sent as attachments). The draft agenda, the applications for EWL candidate Board Members, all the documents for the GA are available on the agenda page, except for the 2017 Emergency Motions paper which will be made available this week.
Public event and street action “Loud and United” on 8 June, followed by EWL members’ dinner
This year, the European Women’s Lobby is marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the EWL Observatory on violence against women and girls (VAWG). The Observatory is a unique structure that brings together more than 30 experts, professionals, women’s rights defenders, and front-line NGOs activists, from all over Europe. On 11 May 2017, the EU publicly declared its intention to sign and ratify the Istanbul Convention, the first legally binding treaty in Europe that criminalises different forms of violence against women. With this declaration, the EU sends the world a message about its commitment to fighting the violation of women’s rights.
On 8 June, EWL wants to give visibility from Belgium and around Europe to their tireless work and achievements at the forefront of the fight against VAWG.
A conference with the EWL Observatory on violence against women and girls and globally recognised feminist activist, Gloria Steinem, takes place on 8 June from 14.00 to 16.30, followed by a street demonstration starting at 17:00, Mont des Arts, Place de l’Albertine, 1000 Brussels (Facebook event : https://www.facebook.com/events/1967859493432979/)
All the information you need about the event including the agenda is also available for EWL members on the Living Room: https://womenlobbyforum.org/ viewtopic.php?f=57&t=93
After the demonstration, EWL Members are then getting together with Gloria Steinem for dinner at Brasserie de la Presse from 18.30.
Find the full agenda and other information on EWL website: www.womenlobby.org/Gloria-Steinem-in-Brussels-8-June-2017
Other updates
You might want to sign and share with your networks a call on to a CSO 6th scenario for the Future of Europe from the SDGWatch Europe and Friends of the Earth:
https://womenlobbyforum.org/ viewtopic.php?f=12&t=91
EWL at CSW61
Like every year, the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) will take part to the 61st session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (13-24 March). EWL membership is very active during CSW61, organising side events and influencing the negotiations on the Conclusions which should be adopted by the UN member states at the end of the session.
This year’s priority theme is “Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work” and the emerging issue is ’The empowerment of Indigenous women”. Ahead of CSW61, the EWL had sent, together with its members, a joint statement highlighting the situation of women domestic workers. We have also made comments on the zero draft of the conclusions.
During CSW, the EWL is organising two events :
- A side event co-organised with Belgium and Iceland, on “The Nordic Model on prostitution: a key step to ensure girls’ and young women’s economic empowerment”, on Wednesday 15 March, 8.15-9.30am, in conference room 8 of the UN.
- A parallel event co-sponsored by NAWO Youth, Unizon, Wagggs, the European YWCA and Rights4Girls, on “#HerFuture: Challenges & opportunities for girls’ and young women’s economic empowerment”, on Wednesday 15 March, 2.30-4pm, at the Salvation Army (downstairs).
Other EWL members’ events:
- NAWO (UK) organises a series of events, to be soon on their dedicated webpage.
- The Swedish Women’s Lobby organises an event on “Underpaid and Undervalued – What a Way to Make a Living“ on Tuesday 14 March, 6.15-7.45pm
- “Diverse, Resilient and Viable – Empowering Women through the G20“ with the National Council of German Women‘s Organizations, on Monday 13 March, 1.15-2.30pm
- “Women’s Economic Empowerment in Lusophone Countries“ organised by the Portuguese Platform for Women’s Rights, 16 March, 2.30-4pm, Armenian Center
EWL Secretariat members will also be speaking at:
- “A year of focused actions to combat violence against women and girls“, an event of the European Commission, on Wednesday 15 March, 1.15-2.30pm, Un conference room 2
- “Trading on the Female Body“ on Tuesday 14 March, 1-3pm
* “Supporting feminist movement building for Planet 50-50 by 2030“ on Friday 17 March, 5-8pm - “Women Doctors: Economic Empowerment and Social Determinants of Health”, organised by MWIA, Wednesday 15 March, 12.30-2pm, Hardin room Church Center
EWL will take part to the EU-briefing, and will co-facilitate the meetings of the caucus for Europe and North America:
- Wednesday 15 March, 6.15-7.45pm, Boss room Church Center
- Monday 20 March, 6.15-7.45pm, 2nd floor Church Center
The list of NGO events is here. The list of official side events is here.
UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women – Call for Submissions
The Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Ms. Dubravka Šimonović took up function as Special Rapporteur on 1 August 2015 and intends to, inter alia, focus on the legal and policy frameworks of her mandate and the international human rights mechanisms to discuss the gap in incorporating and implementing the international and regional standards related to violence against women.The Special Rapporteur considers that the discussion on the adequacy of the international legal framework on violence against women initiated by the former mandate holder should continue and she wishes to secure views from different stakeholders, including States, National Human Rights Institutions, Non-governmental organizations, as well as members of academia.She has launched a consultation on the gap of transposing and implementing international and regional standards on violence against women.Taking into consideration the important role that different stakeholders play in reinforcing universal human rights standards, she would be very interested to receive input and views on the following questions:1. Do you consider that there is a need for a separate legally binding treaty on violence against women with its separate monitoring body?2. Do you consider that there is an incorporation gap of the international or regional human rights norms and standards?3. Do you believe that there is a lack of implementation of the international and regional legislation into the domestic law?4. Do you think that there is a fragmentation of policies and legislation to address gender-based violence?5. Could you also provide your views on measures needed to address this normative and implementation gap and to accelerate prevention and elimination of violence against women?European Women’s Lobby is planning to send a EWL Contribution and, as it is an important consultation, we would like to ask to send your input and views on the questions asked by the UN Special Rapporteur. EWL preliminary comments/clarifications are the following ones:Q1: The EWL does not have a specific position on this issue specific point yet, so it will be very interesting to have your views on this. It can be interesting to highlight the positive aspects of the Istanbul Convention but also what it is missing.Q2: By incorporation gap, we understand if international or regional human rights norms and standards have been signed/ratified. We would appreciate very much if you can give examples of international/regional standards have not been signed/ratified or if there have been major reservations.Q3: By lack of implementation of the international understand into the domestic law we understand gaps in the transposition of the international/regional legislation into the domestic law. Again, it will be great if you can give examples of gaps in transposition into legislation and also gaps in implementation.Q4: We will push for the use of the term “violence against women” in all the contribution. EWL will argue that there is fragmentation of policies and legislation and different levels of protection of women in Europe.Q5: Your ideas will be very welcomed, and it would be good to link this reply to the reply given to the first question.
Please, send your contributions to boarduwe@gmail.com and rosales@womenlobby.org.We would be very grateful to receive your replies by the 20th of September, so that it will be enough time to compile all the replies into the EWL Contribution.
We will send you back the final EWL Contribution by the 28th of September so that you can use it as well if you want to send your own contributions on behalf of your organisations. The final deadline for the UN to receive the contributions is the 1st of October.Thank you very much in advance,many regards from the Board,Roxana Elena PetrescuSecretary General
Call for experts EWL Observatory on violence against women
CALL FOR EXPERTS
European Women’s Lobby Observatory on violence against women
The European Women’s Lobby (EWL) Observatory on violence against women was established in 1997, two years after the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995, when the states committed to take action to combat violence against women. Having identified violence against women as one of their top priorities, the EWL members decided to create this unique structure to put strengthened political pressure towards ending violence against women. The EWL Observatory plays a key role in identifying burning issues and monitoring progress towards a Europe free from male violence against women.
The Observatory is composed by a dynamic group of women who have extensive expertise and experience in the area of violence against women, coming from different countries in Europe1 and who are appointed by the European Women’s Lobby members. This extensive and Pan-European expertise and experience has been instrumental for the European Women’s Lobby to design its advocacy and policy activities on the basis of a comprehensive understanding of the situation in Europe regarding the different types of male violence against women (VAW), and the challenges and opportunities that women and women’s organisations face.
1 Member States of the European Union, the European Economic Area countries, countries in the formal process of accession to the European Union and neighboring countries.
The work of the EWL Observatory on violence against women is in line with the EWL Charter of Principles on violence against women2 adopted in 2007, reiterated in EWL 2016 fact sheet on violence against women3, and with the EWL Position paper “European Women’s Lobby Position Paper: Towards a Europe Free from All Forms of Male Violence against Women” 4 adopted in 2010.
The main aims of the EWL Observatory are to:
Support the EWL to gather information, trends and burning issues on the prevalence of different types of violence against women, bringing information about the reality on the ground, in order to support EWL advocacy work on ending VAW.
Identify gaps in legislation, policy and practice in the provision of services to prevent VAW and protect its victims; inform the EWL about the situation on the ground and make proposals as how to address them.
Provide a feminist space for sharing knowledge and information, promoting networking, connectivity and solidarity. It also aims to provide the opportunity for its members to exchange best practices, connect with each other and create links and bridge with regional initiatives.
Profile of the EWL Observatory experts
The experts of the EWL Observatory on violence against women will meet one of the following profiles:
Recognised experts on the overall issue of violence against women and/or a specific form of violence in their country (researchers, legal experts, lobbyists, activists, etc.) with connections or links with front-line NGOs working on VAW.
Representatives from a front-line NGO providing services to protect women victims of violence or developing activities to prevent violence against women.
Mandate of the expert
- An Expert shall be appointed to the EWL Observatory on violence against women for three years.
- An expert may be re nominated and appointed for a further three years.
- An expert may not belong to the EWL Observatory on violence against women for more than 6 years continuously.
Role and duties of the experts of the EWL Observatory on violence against women
Advise and inform the Observatory on policy issues, good practices, current situation and developments in the field of violence against women, including legislative proposals, new publications, research, etc.
Actively share and engage in the exchange of good practices and technical capacity (disseminating information) on VAW amongst women’s NGOs working in the field.
Identify and relate on VAW critical and emerging issues, gaps in policy provision, and make proposals on how these could be addressed, including the development of tools for monitoring and mainstreaming VAW at national, EU level and European level.
Fulfill work requirements, in writing when necessary, according to the annual work plans of the EWL Observatory on VAW.
Take active part in the virtual work of the EWL Observatory as well as in the meetings of the EWL Observatory on violence against women. Contribute to the agenda setting of the EWL Observatory meetings on VAW and facilitate sessions when agreed.
Contribute to the EWL communication tools (web articles, social media, etc.), in concertation with the EWL national coordination and/or European member.
Actively disseminate the work of the EWL Observatory on VAW in different for a at national level and/or regional and international level.
Actively identify funding opportunities that will serve the EWL Observatory on violence against women to resource its work and meetings.
Promote the EWL values and principles on violence against women.
Expected commitment from the experts of the EWL Observatory on VAW
Observatory experts are expected to cooperate through long-distance communications tools (mainly through e-mail, and occasionally through Skype and phone) in close cooperation with the EWL Secretariat to develop the duties above mentioned and the work foreseen in the EWL Observatory work plans.
The Observatory will periodically agree on a two-year work plan – with annual milestones – that will contribute to the EWL overall work plan on violence against women. The work plans will acknowledge the fact that the experts of the Observatory are taking part in the EWL Observatory on a voluntary basis.
Being part of the Observatory requires a certain time commitment that is estimated to be one hour a week during a year. The workload might vary depending on the timetables agreed in the work plans.
Furthermore, experts will commit to attend the annual Observatory meeting (if funding available).
EWL Observatory experts will not act as representatives of the EWL Observatory nor are they entitled to represent the EWL, unless agreed otherwise with the EWL Board, in coordination with the EWL Secretariat.
The experts of the EWL Observatory commit to keep regular communication and take part in at least two annual briefing meetings with the EWL national coordination in their country or their European member organisation and the correspondent EWL Board member (if any). Ahead of the EWL Board meetings, the expert of the Observatory and the Board member (if any) or the EWL focal point for the European member organisations who are not represented in EWL Board, will liaise to ensure proper communication and updates.
EWL Observatory experts are accountable to the whole EWL Board and Executive, through the liaison Board/Executive member to the EWL Observatory.
Functioning of the EWL Observatory
The EWL Observatory on violence against women functions according to feminist and ethical principles to ensure that a safe space is created to enable the experts to express themselves freely, even if they are not English native speakers.
The EWL Observatory functions mainly through long-distance communications tools: e-mail, Skype or other virtual meeting platforms and phone.
When funding is available, an annual meeting of the EWL Observatory against violence is organized by the EWL Secretariat.
The position of chair will rotate on a yearly basis. Supported by and in close coordination with the EWL Secretariat, the chair will have the responsibility of chairing the meeting; coordinate the facilitators of the sessions; and coordinate the minutes taking process.
The EWL Secretariat, and specifically the Policy and Campaigns Officer working on violence against women, coordinates, supports and manages the overall work of the EWL Observatory. She reports, as required, to the Policy and Campaigns team and to the EWL Board on the Observatory’s work and disseminates the minutes of the EWL Observatory meetings to the full members. Once the minutes are adopted by the EWL Observatory, the EWL Secretariat will disseminate them within a month. The EWL Secretariat informs the Observatory experts of the dates of EWL Board meetings, in order for each expert to fulfil her liaison obligation with her respective Board member or European organisation.
When working groups are created, two co-lead facilitators will be identified to coordinate, animate, follow-up and report on the work of each group.
How to apply
The nomination form will be sent to the UWE President and Secretary General uweboard@gmail.com by 31 st July .
Information to be filled in by each organisation
APPLICATION FORM
- GENERAL INFORMATION
Name and surname: Country: E-mail: Organisation(s) in which you are involved and contact details: Phone number: Social media: Skype user name:
- EXPERIENCE
What is your experience on the issue of violence against women?
Is there a specific form of violence against women in which you have more knowledge/experience? Please, explain.
Please explain what is your level of knowledge about the situation in your country in terms of policy developments and service provision in your country or beyond.
What does your network looks like? Which are your links/connections with NGOs that work at grassroots level in the field of VAW in your country or beyond? Please, explain.
Please indicate the category that best describes your level of English Very good Good
Can manage
Poor
- KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE EUROPEAN WOMEN’S LOBBY
Are you familisarised with the general work of the EWL? Please, explain.
Do you agree with all the principles on violence against women of the EWL Charter? EWL Principles on violence against women:
- Male violence against women is structural, not accidental: it’s a cause and a consequence of inequality between women and men.
- Women’s rights are human rights! Violence against women and girls is a human rights’ violation.
- Any action to end violence against women should promote the autonomy and empowerment of all women and girls.
- Prostitution and trafficking in women constitute violence against women and a fundamental violation of women’s human rights.
- Women are affected by mane violence in different ways due to their diverse identities Comprehensive strategies should be adopted to ensure inclusion and protection of all women and girls.
Please read here, EWL Charter of Principles adopted in 2007, reiterated in EWL 2016 factsheet on violence against women, and aligned with the EWL Position paper “Towards a Europe Free from All Forms of Male Violence against Women” adopted in 2010.
Yes, I agree with all the principles No, I don’t agree with all of them.
Please explain which one:Haga clic aquí para escribir texto.
Would you commit to support these principles during your mandate as expert of the EWL Observatory on VAW?
If you were to speak on behalf of the EWL Observatory on violence against women, would you be able to defend these positions?
- CONTRIBUTION AND ENGAGEMENT
What do you think that is the added value of the EWL Observatory on violence against woman?
How do you think that you can contribute to the work of the EWL Observatory.
In what ways are you willing to make a contribution to and share your knowledge with the EWL Observatory on violence against women?
In what ways are you willing to regularly engage with the EWL national coordination in your country / or the European EWL member organisation you are related to?
1 Member States of the European Union, the European Economic Area countries, countries in the formal process of accession to the European Union and neighboring countries.
2http://www.womenlobby.org/spip.php?action=acceder_document&arg=4447&cle=dd137c1e473dfd89b093bd9c01182ce551912f91&file=pdf%2Fcharter_of_principles_on_vaw.pdf
3 http://www.womenlobby.org/IMG/pdf/ewl_factsheet_on_vaw_2016-final.pdf?4440/91f0a080d64657d23185662e37057600aaee7cf5
4 http://www.womenlobby.org/Towards-a-Europe-Free-from-All-Forms-of-Male-Violence-against-Women-December
Collective action on the EU strategy on equality between women and men
Today, Monday 7 December 2015, EU Ministers for gender equality meet for the EPSCO Council and will “exchange views on the strategic commitment to gender equality 2016-2019”.
You can see here the agenda of the meeting:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/epsco/2015/12/08/
And here it is the so-called ‘strategic engagement’: Strategic engagement for gender equality 2016-2019
This strategic commitment is not the EU Strategy that the Ministers, the European Parliament and the women’s organizations were expecting. European Women’s Lobby (EWL) called it “a staff working document…women are halfway to equality in Europe: it is time for real commitment and change, because it is about #ourfuture”.
EU Vice-President Timmermans said “I’m a feminist” at the United Nations last September. Let’s see these words transformed into action: into a meaningful and ambitious EU Strategy for equality between women and men #fromwordstoaction.
A press and social media will take action on Monday, to put more pressure on the Commission. EWL prepared a video, using images of Timmermans saying “I’m a feminist”, and will disseminate today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUw5tUX8bTA (made by Elvira J)
Please share our facebook post today.
For those who have twitter (organization or personal), share it too on twitter, and follow UWE and EWL twitter account!
Thanks a lot for this collective action on Monday!
EWL webinar on Women and Armed Conflicts – September 21, the International Day of Peace
European Women’s Lobby is hosting a webinar on Women and Armed Conflict on Monday, 21st September, the International Day of Peace, 3pm-4pm (Brussels time).
The webinar “Mobilising for a Feminist Approach to Peace and Security” is part of activities during this Year of Action on Beijing+20. It will give a prominent voice to many EWL members, at national and European level, and EWL partners.
Registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8865045964706950146
• Moderator: Pierrette Pape, EWL Policy and Campaigns Director
• Technical facilitator: Oonagh Eastmond, EWL Policy Assistant
Agenda
Welcome and introduction, with presentation of EWL factsheet from EWL report on Beijing+20 ‘From words to action’
Section 1: Women’s organisations mobilise for peace and security!
Our Balkan members on the Women’s Tribunal in Sarajevo
- On violence against women in conflict
Women’s role in post-conflict reconstruction: Northern Ireland Women’s European Platform (NIWEP)
- On the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in Northern Ireland.
Women at the core of peace negotiations: Cyprus Women’s Lobby
- On the inclusion of women in peace negotiationsA feminist approach to justice:
Section 2: Towards a feminist approach of peace and security
Feminist leadership in peace and security: WIIS (Women in International Security)
- What does a feminist perspective to peace and security and women in leadership look like?
Protecting the human rights of women in armed conflicts: Global Justice Center
- Campaign of the on access to abortion services for women victims of rape in war
A critical feminist perspective of military spending: WILPF (Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom)
- Campaign ‘You get what you pay for’ and WILPF Video: Security: What is it?
The current refugee crisis: Hungarian Women’s Lobby
- The gender dimension
Discussion and final words from the guests, including their most important recommendations.
We hope that you can follow it, but also share the information in your networks and channels.
