Press Releases

Press Releases
Victory for survivors of prostitution - MEPs voted in favour of abolitionist measures

Posted on 14 September 2023 |

With today’s vote, MEPs decided to follow the abolitionist legacy of the Honeyball resolution voted in 2014 and proved their commitment for a Europe free from violence against women and girls.
[14 September 2023, Strasbourg] MEPs confirmed their abolitionist position and delivered a powerful message today as they voted in favour of the initiative report on the Regulation of prostitution in the EU: its cross-border implications and impact on gender equality and women’s rights drafted by (...) Read more
Press Releases
Monumental week for women’s rights!

The European Parliament adopts a strong proposal for a Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence

Posted on 11 July 2023 |

[13 July 2023, Strasbourg] This week is a historic week for women’s rights and the women’s movement: the European Parliament has adopted a strong resolution for an EU Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence. The EP resolution takes on many of the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) proposals and significantly strengthens the text issued by the European Commission last year. When adopted, the Directive will reinforce protection, prevention and support mechanisms for (...) Read more
Press Releases
One year after: Europe needs a strong Directive to combat violence against women NOW!

EWL Press Release for the International Women’s Day

Posted on 7 March 2023 |

[Brussels, 7 March 2023] On International Women’s Day 2023, the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) reiterates its demands for the EU to enhance and swiftly adopt the European Commission’s proposal for a Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence. An enhanced Directive, including a strong harmonised definition on rape in Article 5 as well as provisions on sexual exploitation and online violence against women and girls, remains our goal.
The EWL continuously advocates for (...) Read more
Press Releases
Time to Deliver!

The European Union closer than ever to concrete action to end violence against women

Posted on 25 November 2022 |

[Brussels, 25 November 2022] 25 November marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (VAW) and the start of the 16 Days of Activism to end VAW. On this occasion, the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) is urging the EU and all European countries to make Europe a safe place for all women and girls by adopting EU legislation on preventing and combating all forms of violence against women and girls.
Male violence against women and girls is the most pervasive violation of (...) Read more
Press Releases
The European Women’s Lobby welcomes the European Care Strategy – a stepping-stone towards a Care Deal for Europe

Press Release

Posted on 15 September 2022 |

[Brussels, 15 September 2022] The European Women’s Lobby (EWL) warmly welcomes the recent proposal from the European Commission for a European Care Strategy, which is a stepping-stone towards a Care Deal for Europe.
“At long last, care is on the European political agenda, embedded in a gender equality framework, as it acknowledges the overwhelming role of women in providing both paid and unpaid care, which impacts their own economic independence and participation in all aspects of life", (...) Read more
Press Releases
Protect Women and Children from sexual exploitation now and tomorrow

Joint Letter of the Brussels’ Call - For a Europe free from sexual exploitation

Posted on 28 April 2022 |

[Brussels, 20 April 2022]
According to UNHCR, 4 million people have already fled to the European Union and other neighboring countries since the war began in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Women and children in particular are on the run. They have been through traumatic experiences and are in great fear for their families and the future of their country. These people are particularly vulnerable and need the greatest possible protection.
Since the beginning of the war, however, we have also (...) Read more
Press Releases
Historic landmark: the European Commission publishes its Directive proposal to fight violence against women and domestic violence

EWL Statement

Posted on 8 March 2022 |

[Strasbourg, 8 March 2022] On International Women’s Day, the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) welcomes the European Commission’s legislative proposal on combating violence against women and domestic violence released today. This marks a historic moment and an unprecedented success for the EWL and its members, who have long fought to bring the issue of violence against women and girls on the EU political agenda.
The increase of violence against women and girls (VAWG) during the Covid-19 pandemic, (...) Read more
Press Releases
EWL calls on new woman President of the EP Metsola for ambitious women’s rights measures

Posted on 19 January 2022 |

[Brussels, 18 January 2022] Following Roberta Metsola’s election as the new President of the European Parliament, the European Women’s Lobby calls on President Metsola to champion ambitious measures to advance women’s rights in the EU and to advocate for significant achievements on equality between women and men, including on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights.
A woman heading the institution representing EU citizens is a significant opportunity not only to ensure women’s rights are high (...) Read more
Press Releases
Sexist and misogynist hate speech and hate crime have no place in the EU

Posted on 13 December 2021 |

Brussels, 9 December 2021
The European Women’s Lobby (EWL) welcomes the European Commission’s proposal to add hate speech and hate crime, including those committed against women and girls, to the list of Eurocrimes in Article 83 (1) of the TFEU.
The initiative by the European Commission comes as the first of a series of proposals to combat violence against women and girls. Indeed, sexist hate speech and hate crime against women and girls are part of the continuum of male violence, and (...) Read more
Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE: Dr Özlem Türeci, BioNTech’s chief medical officer, wins Woman of Europe Award

Posted on 2 December 2021 |

[Brussels, 1 December 2021] In the ceremony held this evening, Prof. Özlem Türeci was awarded a Woman of Europe Award in the Woman in Business category. Also Angela Merkel, Jenny Rasche, and Greta Thunberg won in the Woman in Power, Action, and Youth Activism categories respectively. The award ceremony, the sixth annual Women of Europe Awards, was organised digitally by the European Movement International and the European Women’s Lobby.
According to the jury, representing extraordinary women (...) Read more