European & International News

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

European & International News
EWL welcomes the European Commission proposal for the EU to access the Istanbul Convention

Posted on 8 March 2016 |

[Brussels, 04 March 2016] The European Commission has launched a proposal for the European Union to sign and ratify the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. The European Women’s Lobby highly welcomes this initiative as it is a major step forward to put an end to violence against women and to make Europe a safer and more equal place for women.
The Istanbul Convention is the first European binding instrument (...) Read more
European & International News
EWL contributes to EYD2015 Civil Society Alliance Policy Recommendations

Posted on 17 February 2016 |

[Brussels, 17 February 2016] In 2015, the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) played an active role as a member of the Civil Society Alliance which coordinated the NGO mobilisation during the European Year for Development (EYD2015). After a year full of activities and action, policy recommendations have been unveiled at the closing event of the Year in Luxembourg last December. The EWL is proud to have contributed to these recommendations, through an article of its Policy and Campaigns Director (...) Read more
European & International News
MEPs urge Commission to table a new gender equality strategy

Posted on 3 February 2016 |

[3 February 2016, Press Release of FEMM Committee] The European Commission must table a communication on a new strategy for gender equality and women’s rights 2016-2020 as soon as possible and deliver on its political commitments, say MEPs in a resolution voted on Wednesday. The communication should address gender equality issues which is in line with the international agenda, they add. The resolution was adopted by 337 votes to 286 and 73 abstentions.
"A working document, which does not (...) Read more
European & International News
EIGE releases new study: ’Gender Equality in Power and Decision-Making’

Posted on 6 December 2015 |

[Brussels, 9 December 2015]The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) publishes a new study ‘Gender Equality in Power and Decision-Making’. The report is launched as the Council of the EU adopts Conclusions calling on the Member States and the Commission “to step up efforts to promote the equal representation of women and men in decision-making”.
The study looks at how men and women have been represented in power and decision-making positions in the public, economic and social sectors (...) Read more
European & International News
All India Women’s Conference on surrogacy: a violation of women’s human rights

Posted on 4 December 2015 |

[Brussels, 4 December 2015] During a seminar organised by EWL members the [International Alliance of Women (IAW)->http://womenalliance.org in Paris in October 2015, the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC), presented the following statement on the issue of surrogacy.
Surrogacy motherhood is big business in India
No doubt surrogacy is a technical marvel, but All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) strongly feels that this is exploitation of a women’s body and must be stopped immediately. Allowing (...) Read more
European & International News
European Parliament discusses gender dimension of trafficking and the sex trade

Posted on 20 November 2015 |

[Brussels, 19 November 2015] “Prostitution is not work, it’s remunerated abuse”. It is with these words that Rachel Moran, author of the book ‘Paid For: My journey through Prostitution’, and member of the organization SPACE International” during the latest FEMM Committee meeting in the European Parliament in Brussels on 12 November 2015.
The hearing was on the agenda due to the upcoming report in the Committee that will address the implementation of the 2011 anti-trafficking directive in the EU. (...) Read more
European & International News
The Women’s Global Call for Climate Justice

Be ready for 28 November Paris event ’Feminists for climate justice’

Posted on 3 November 2015 |

[Brussels, 3 November 2015] Ahead of COP21 - the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, you can join women of the world and their call for climate justice!
“We do not give up on our beautiful planet. We do not give up on a future for every species. We will never give up on our campaign for climate justice.”
Read here the call in several languages, and find out more about the 6 themes of the call.
November is dedicated to POWER:
"It is time to reclaim our power — in our commons, our governments, our (...) Read more
European & International News
European Week of Action for Girls

Goals for Girls Post-2015: Win, lose or draw?

Posted on 14 October 2015 |

[Article by PLAN EU Office, 11 October 2015] The European Week of Action for Girls (EWAG) is an annual week-long event which aims to ensure that girls’ empowerment is promoted and their rights are protected and fulfilled in the EU’s external action, through adequate policies, funding and programs.
Through a series of policy, advocacy, media, campaigning and youth-focused events, EWAG highlights the power and potential of girls as development actors and agents of change, as well as the (...) Read more
European & International News
Step it UP - by 2030!

Be part of HERstory

Posted on 23 September 2015 |

[Brussels, 23 September 2015] The European Women’s Lobby co-wrote a [Civil Societies Open Letter to Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmersmans on the 2030 Agenda. >http://www.concordeurope.org/publications/item/460-cso-open-letter-to-first-vice-president-frans-timmermans-on-the-2030-agenda]. "As European civil society, we now expect the EU to match the ambition of this Agenda with a clear EU implementation strategy, which reflects the integrated, interlinked and (...) Read more
European & International News
Joint declaration of women’s & LGBTI organisations for peace

Posted on 2 September 2015 |

[Ankara, 1 September 2015] The European Women’s Lobby endorses the following statement by local women’s and LGBTI organisations in Turkey, made on 1 September 2015.
We Call Upon Everyone to Join Us "We, the women of this country, desire peace. How many more generations must suffer the atrocities of war and conflict? What are we to do with all of this pain and suffering, for which there is no recompense? Virtually moments before the elections the government announced that it had “frozen” (...) Read more