Take action with the us to ensure future EU funding for women’s rights!
[Brussels, 17 February 2012] The level and predictability of European Union funding for gender equality, combating violence against women (VAW), and equality for all is at risk. EU and national decision-makers are at the moment debating the EU budget for 2014-2020 and the future EU funding programmes. Help the European Women’s Lobby to ensure that gender equality, VAW, equality of all and fundamental rights will be a priority and that the EU will allocate predictable and specific funding for these activities!
The budgetary proposals of the European Commission for the new funding period integrate EU funding for gender equality and VAW in a general programme called ’Rights and Citizenship’. There will be no specific budget lines for gender equality and no independent Daphne Programme to combat violence.
The European Commission’s proposals are now discussed by the EU member states (your governments) and the European Parliament, and the two will make the final decision by the end of 2012. In the coming months, all EWL members and partners must take action and ensure that the Commission’s proposals will be improved!
Download the EWL’s briefing and call for action that explains the key problems of the Commission’s proposal and gives the tools needed to get involved: key arguments, timeline, who to contact and a model letter that can be used to contact decision-makers.
The EWL and other European equality networks have prepared joint amendments to the Commission’s proposal. You can distribute them to your national decision makers together with the model letter attached to the briefing.
The forthcoming decision on the overall budget and priorities of the Rights and Citizenship Programme that MEPs and member states will make, is one of the most important women’s rights and gender equality issues on the EU agenda this year.
The success of EU gender equality policies depends on the funding available. Gender equality, including combating violence against women must be an investment priority of the EU and you can help us to make this a reality!
Download the the EWL briefing and call for action here below!