[Zagreb, 30 May 2013] The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) invited the Board members of the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) for a networking meeting in Zagreb on 30 May, ahead of the 2013 EWL general Assembly. The goal of this first meeting was to create more links between the two organisations by informing EWL members about the work of EIGE and exchange ideas and recommendations for further collaborative work.
Thérese Murphy, Head of Operations of EIGE, and Elizabeth Law, Member of EWL Executive Committee, introduced the meeting by sharing the same views of the importance of closer cooperation between the EWL, its members and EIGE, in order to create a strong force promoting equality between women and men at EU level. Expectations were high to get to know more each other and support each other’s work, while making sure that the expertise and experience of women’s organisations are taken into account at all levels of collaboration.
EIGE staff members presented the current main projects of the Institute: the Gender Equality Index, work on Violence against Women, Men and Gender Equality, and Gender Training and competence development. Then, EWL members discussed in working groups ways of contributing to EIGE’s work and collaborating for each of these issues. For example, EWL members proposed that EIGE could be in more regular contact with the EWL Observatory on violence against women. On all issues, EIGE online discussion were identified as good opportunities for EWL members to contribute to the work of EIGE, while more contacts with EIGE experts would help strengthen cooperation and make sure that the voices of women’s organisations are included in the work of the Institute.
The meeting ended up with several ideas for collaboration and communication between the EWL and EIGE, and was very useful for all participants. The EWL looks forward to continued close cooperation with the Institute.
