European & International News

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

European & International News
UN CEDAW Committee adopts General Recommendation on the protection of women’s human rights in conflict and post-conflict situations

Posted on 1 August 2011 |

[New York, 29 July 2011] During its 49th session, held on 29th July 2011, the Committee on the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) adopted a general recommendation on the protection of women’s human rights in conflict and post-conflict situations.
“In addition to the widely reported instances of sexual violence and mass rape in times of war, women experience widespread violation of non-derogable rights to life, torture, summary or arbitrary executions, (...) Read more
European & International News
Malta legalises divorce

Posted on 28 July 2011 |

[Brussels, 26 July 2011] Malta, one of the few countries in the world where divorce is still banned, is on its way to significant change. Two months after a historical referendum, the will of the Maltese to introduce the right to divorce has been translated into legislation. With 52 votes in favour, 11 against and 5 abstentions, the Maltese Parliament passed a law on Monday to allow legal separation. Although the Prime Minister previously agreed to respect the will of the majority, Lawrence (...) Read more
European & International News
UK Advertising Standards Authority bans L’Oreal ads for excessive digital enhancements

Posted on 28 July 2011 |

[Brussels, 27 July 2011] The British Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) this week upheld a complaint lodged by MP Jo Swinson and banned a series of magazine ads for makeup products by the cosmetic giant L’Oreal, for being misleading and "not representative of the results the products could achieve" because they had been digitally manipulated. The Lancome and Maybelline anti-ageing foundation ads featured the actress Julia Roberts and the supermodel Christy Turlington.
According to UK (...) Read more
European & International News
Greece elects first female President of Supreme Court - The EWL reflects on the role of women in European judiciaries

Posted on 22 July 2011 |

[Brussels, 22 July 2011] The election Ms. Asimakopoulos as the first woman to preside over the Supreme Court of Greece was this week greeted with enthusiasm by women’s associations in this country, including the members of the EWL. Internationally, this is also important news.
Changes in democratic societies are mostly driven by political decisions. They play an important role for shaping policy, setting up an environment in which societies operate, or challenging certain settings. Despite (...) Read more
European & International News
Malaysian High Court rules that CEDAW is directly applicable

Posted on 19 July 2011 |

[Brussels, 19 July 2011] A relief teacher in Malaysia has won her case against the Education Ministry and the government on the basis of the United Nations’ Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) - to which Malaysia became a signatory in 1995. The High Court ruled that CEDAW had the force of law and is binding in Malaysia.
Norfadilla Ahmad Saikin, 29, took the government to court when she was refused employment due to pregnancy.
The court (...) Read more
European & International News
The John Next Door - New US study on the men who buy sex

Newsweek, 18 July 2011

Posted on 18 July 2011 |

[Newsweek, New York, 18 July 2011] The men who buy sex are your neighbors and colleagues. A new study reveals how the burgeoning demand for porn and prostitutes is warping personal relationships and endangering women and girls.
Men of all ages, races, religions, and backgrounds do it. Rich men do it, and poor men do it, in forms so varied and ubiquitous that they can be summoned at a moment’s notice.
And yet surprisingly little is known about the age-old practice of buying sex, long (...) Read more
European & International News
Number of women participants in negotiations on Arms Trade Treaty increases to 22%

Posted on 15 July 2011 |

[Brussels, 15 July 2011] In June 2009, the General Assembly of the EWL adopted an Emergency Motion calling for support to be given to the gender perspective in the drafting of an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), in order to act to limit the availability of small arms that are used to disporportionately kill women and children in conflicts. As the negotiations on this treaty continue, the EWL is pleased to see an increasing number of women national representatives. This also tallies with one of the (...) Read more
European & International News
Dangers of cosmetic surgery underestimated in society where women are judged by harsh beauty standards

Posted on 15 July 2011 |

[Brussels, 15 July 2011] Seeking a way to enhance one’s appearance cosmetically is certainly not a new phenomenon. In a society where women are put under substantial pressure to achieve and maintain irrealistic standards of beauty (for more information see EWL ressource tool on cosmetics advertising), many women opt for cosmetic or aesthetic surgery. Figures show that in Belgium each year between 20,000 and 30,000 liposuction are performed, while 10,000 women have breast enlargements. In (...) Read more
European & International News
Prevention is key to ending violence against women, says UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay

Posted on 11 July 2011 |

[UN, New York, 5 July 2011] Prevention of violence against women was the focus of a discussion on women’s human rights held last month at the UN in Geneva in the framework of the 17th session of the UN Human Rights Council. “In the struggle to eradicate violence against women, we should all task ourselves to be leading voices and engines of action,” said UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay.
“One third of women in the world have experienced or will experience some form of violence in their (...) Read more
European & International News
Empowering women helps fight poverty and other social ills, stresses UN Women Director

Posted on 8 July 2011 |

[UN Women, New York, 27 June 2011] Empowering women and advancing their rights is not only the right thing to do but it can lead to progress on a range of issues, including the fight against poverty, hunger and violence, the head of the United Nations agency tasked with promoting women’s rights said today.
“Promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment is not solely a plea for justice or for fulfilling human rights commitments. It is both of those things, but also so much more,” Michelle (...) Read more