Gloria Steinem in Brussels 8 June 2017

May 17, 2017

The European Women’s Lobby is organising a public event followed by a demonstration “Loud and United” to end violence against women and girls” in the heart of Brussels, on 8 of June 2017. This year, the European Women’s Lobby is marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the EWL Observatory on violence against women and girls. The Observatory is a unique structure that brings together more than 30 experts, professionals, women’s rights defenders, and front-line NGOs activists, from all over Europe.For the last 20 years, the EWL Observatory has a played key role advising the EWL about the reality of violence against women in the EU and resourcing EWL’s advocacy messages and demands. Experts of the EWL Observatory on violence against women and girls and activists will share creative and impactful campaigns and frontline projects to empower them and other women and girls. Survivors of male violence will tell their stories and give visibility to the reality of violence against women and girls. Globally recognised feminist activist Gloria Steinem will join the EWL in marking the 20 years of relentless action by the EWL experts of the Observatory on Violence against women and girls. Known for her public denouncement of all forms of violence against women and girls, she will give the final inspiring keynote speech, and invite participants to take to the street and march together. This event will be a key occasion to praise the contribution of women’s organisations and have an exchange with key EU decision-makers. Together we call on the EU to ratify, implement and invest in the Istanbul Convention, acknowledging and tapping into the expertise of women’s organisations. The event is full, you can still register, but your will be put on a waiting list and we will contact you when places become available

AGENDA 14:00 – 16:30

Welcome words by Edith Schratzberger-Vécsei, President of the European Women’s Lobby 14:00 Welcome words by Edith Schratzberger-Vécsei, President of the European Women’s Lobby HERstory of women’s organisations in the fight to end violence against women

Moderated by Biljana Nastovska, EWL Observatory Expert, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Vanja Macanovic, EWL Observatory expert, Serbia
Dovilė Masalskienė, EWL Observatory expert, Lithuania
Corazza Bildt, MEP, Sweden, FEMM Committee

Highlighting innovative initiatives of women’s organisations

Sexual Violence Center Cork, Mary Crilly
Lilies of the street, Hanuka Lohrengel and Egle Plytnikaite
Maison des femmes, Céline Bonnaire, Director of the Kering Foundation
Women’s Tribunal, Valentina Andrašek

Stories of survivors of male violence

Moderated by Salome Mbugua, EWL Observatory Expert, European Network of Migrant Women
Monica Weissel Alvarez, Femmes survivantes, Survivor of intimate partner violence
Alisha Watts, Survivor of Online Grooming
Fiona Broadfoot, founder of the Build a Girl Project, Survivor of sexual violence and prostitution

Speaking Truth to Power: Exchange with key EU decision makers on recent EU policy developments

Moderated by Maria Miguel Sierra, EWL Observatory Expert, Belgium
Ms Monika Ladmanova, Gender Equality Advisor to Commissioner Věra Jourová, EU Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality
Ms Revault d’Allonnes-Bonnefoy, MEP, France, LIBE Committee
Ms Antonella Gatt, Chair of the Social Questions Working Party (Social Policy), Maltese Presidency of the EU
Mr Rait Kuuse Deputy Secretary General on Social Policy, Ministry of Social Protection, Estonia
Ms Marja Ruotanen, Council of Europe Director of Human Dignity and Equality

Hand-over of signatures of the “Rise up against violence petition!” to EU decision makers, Julia Krzyszkowska, Senior Campaigner WeMove.EU and Jean-Ann Ndow, EWL Observatory expert, WAGGGS (tbc)

Key-note speech by Gloria Steinem Conclusions by Iliana Balabanova-Stoicheva, EWL Vice-president 16:30 Closing Please consider making a donation in support of our work on violence against women. The event is followed by a demonstration organised together with Belgian women’s organisations (Conseil des Femmes Francophones de Belgique, Vrouwenraad and La Marche Mondiale des femmes) ! Join us in marching! Find here the facebook event for the demonstration: You can already engage by signing this petition calling for action at EU level to make Europe a safe space for women and girls: Funded by the Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme. With the support of the City of Brussels. With the support of the Kering Foundation. Launched in 2009, the Kering Corporate Foundation combats Violence Against Women. To enhance its social impact, the Foundation focuses on one cause in each of the following three regions:

Sexual Violence in the Americas
Harmful Traditional Practices in Western Europe (France, Italy, United-Kingdom)
Domestic Violence in Asia In addition, it pays a specific attention to refugee and migrant women worldwide.

The Kering Foundation supports NGOs’ projects and social entrepreneurs and organizes awareness campaigns involving the 40,000 Group’s employees. www.keringfoundation.org @KeringForWomen

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AGENDA 14:00 – 16:30

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