European & International News

International news globe All the latest news from the European Union, its member states, and beyond.

European & International News
UN Women Beijing+20 campaign: Violence against women

Posted on 11 November 2014 |

[UN Women, November 2014] In 2015, the Beijing Platform for Action runs 20. As part of UN Women’s Beijing+20 campaign, this month’s focus is on Violence against Women. You can find more information on UN Women Beijing+20 website: facts and figures, take the quizz!, interviews, news from the world and videos, resources.
Violence against women is a human rights violation and a serious impediment to women’s progress in any area of life. It undercuts women’s health, prospects for education and (...) Read more
European & International News
New survey highlights alarming situation of Roma women in 11 EU Member States

Posted on 11 November 2014 |

[Brussels, 07 November 2014] The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) publishes the survey "Discrimination against and living conditions of Roma women in 11 EU Member States". The research shows huge differences between EU Member States and calls on the European Union and EU Member States to take these trends into account when developing Roma inclusion policies.
The survey explores the situation of Roma women in access to education, employment, healthcare and housing, as well (...) Read more
European & International News
First EU conference on tackling sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination brings a strong message to EU decision makers

#LGBTIequality

Posted on 31 October 2014 |

[Brussels, 31 October 2014] On 28 October 2014 in Brussels, the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) and the Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union held the first EU high-level conference on tackling sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination. The event gathered 250 decision makers, practitioners and representatives of civil society organisations and delivered a strong message in favour of comprehensive targeted policy responses to address discrimination against (...) Read more
European & International News
Ireland and the UK: towards the abolition of prostitution?

Posted on 31 October 2014 |

[Brussels, 31 October 2014] In the last three weeks, diverse developments seem to support the idea that Ireland and the UK are moving towards progressive policies to tackle the sex industry, end exploitation and violence, and realise gender equality. Minister’s statement, Assembly vote, launch of NGO campaign, voice of survivors...: at different levels, there is a strong demand for the implementation of the Nordic model on prostitution in the two countries.
Mid-October, after meeting NGOs, (...) Read more
European & International News
Gender equality? Stand in queue and await the 22nd century

Posted on 29 October 2014 |

[Brussels, 29 October 2014] The annual Global Gender Gap Index itself is not a champion of gender equality; only 2 out of 18 members of the management committees are women, that is 11%, in the board only 5 members of 25 are women – slightly more than 20%. The European Women’s Lobby welcomes the extensive mapping of gender inequality and that the WEF puts the issue under the spotlight. Hence we want to take this opportunity to acknowledge that even an Institution that puts its efforts in (...) Read more
European & International News
UN Women Executive Director applauds joint Nobel Peace Prize win for Malala and Kailash Satyarthi

Posted on 17 October 2014 |

[New York, 10 October 2014] Statement by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, on the Nobel Peace Prize award to Malala Yousafzai. Today, as we celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child and remember the Nigerian schoolgirls still held hostage by Boko Haram, it is particularly fitting that we are able also to congratulate Malala Yousafzai, who at the age of 17 is the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize winner and an outstanding fighter for girls’ rights and in particular (...) Read more
European & International News
8th EU Anti Trafficking Day

Posted on 17 October 2014 |

[Announcement of the European Commission, 17 October 2014] On 18 October 2014, we are marking the 8th EU Anti-Trafficking Day (#EUAntiTraffickingDay on Twitter). On this occasion, the European Commission is publishing on 17 October 2014 the following policy documents: Mid-term Report on the Implementation of the EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings 2012-2016; Second Eurostat working paper on Trafficking in Human Beings, with statistical data on THB (...) Read more
European & International News
Early Legal Intervention: Crucial to Support Victims of Trafficking

Posted on 17 October 2014 |

[Brussels, 16 October 2014] On Wednesday 15 October the Immigrant Council of Ireland London, MONIKA Finland and two of EWL members, BGRF Bulgaria, Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left, opened the discussion by stating that her commitment regarding trafficking in women and girls will focus on protecting women and girls and assuring that their rights are respected. She denounced the lack of funding and advocated in favor of the Nordic model with regards to (...) Read more
European & International News
Global launch of SPACE International (Survivors of Prostitution-Abuse Calling for Enlightenment)

Posted on 17 October 2014 |

[SPACE International, New York, 16 October 2014] Former President Jimmy Carter has publicly endorsed the global launch of SPACE International (Survivors of Prostitution-Abuse Calling for Enlightenment), a group of sex-trade survivors working to abolish the global sex-trade.
In his address to SPACE International, President Carter stated, "I commend you for sustaining your moral obligation to improve the condition and lives of those women and girls around the world who are suffering the (...) Read more
European & International News
Ireland: Prostitution recognised as sexual violence by Oireachtas Justice Committee

Call for sex buyer laws reiterated in second report from Committee - Issue of migrant victims of domestic violence needs urgent action

Posted on 17 October 2014 |

[Statement by the Immigrant Council of Ireland, 16 October 2014, Dublin] The report by the Oireachtas Justice Committee on Sexual and Domestic Violence has been welcomed by the Immigrant Council of Ireland as a blueprint to assist people who are being abused, exploited and subjected to violence.
The Council says the decision to recognise prostitution as a form of sexual violence is important and should form the basis of future legislation.
The Immigrant Council has welcomed (...) Read more