On the 9 July 2014 the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) and the Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies (MIGS) welcomed over 120 participants to an event at the European Parliament on women in politics. The event was organized to wrap up the Parity Democracy and EWL 50/50 Campaign 2012-2014, and aimed to address the outcomes of the 2014 European Parliament elections from a gender perspective as well as to evaluate the impact of the Parity Democracy and EWL 50/50 Campaign.
The conference was organised within the framework of the Project “European Campaign for Parity Democracy and Active European Citizenship: No Modern European Democracy without Gender Equality”, funded by the Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme of the European Union. The event was also supported by a Campaign Core Group of MEP’s from different EU political groups (ALDE, Greens/EFA, GUE-NGL, EPP, S&D).
Objectives:
• To analyze the European elections results from a gender equality perspective;
• To reflect on the achievements of the Parity Democracy and EWL 50/50 campaign and its tools,and begin the campaign’s evaluation process;
• To generate commitment to a series of principles for the achievement of parity and diversity in Europe.
Expected Outcomes:
• Analysis of the Parity Democracy and EWL 50/50 campaign and their impact – learning for the future;
• Gaining visibility for the work done within the Parity Democracy and EWL 50/50 campaign and maintain relations with relevant actors;
• Vote on commitment of principles for the achievement of parity and diversity in Europe.
After a networking lunch and an introductory speech by Susana Elisa Pavlou (Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies) four different panels addressed the outcomes of the 2014 European Parliament elections from a gender perspective. The panels were moderated by journalists Laura Shields (The Media Coach), TanjaMileska (Euractiv), Sybille Bassler (ZDF) and Gabriele Steinhauser (The Wall Street Journal) and coordinated by Serap Altinisik, from the European Women’s Lobby.
Jessica N. Grounds, Co-founder of Running Start and Director of Women Ready for Hillary was the keynote speaker of the conference who gave an inspiring speech on how to increase the participation of women in politics, by giving young women and girls the encouragement and the skills to pursue a career in political leadership.
The first panel was moderated by Laura Shields and focused on the impact of the Parity Democracy and EWL 50/50 Campaign both quantitatively and qualitatively. Maria Angeli, Project Coordinator at MIGS gave a general overview of the main elements of the Parity Democracy Campaign, highlighting its media campaign tools as well as the lobbying and advocacy work done in the partner countries with relevant stakeholders to promote the equal representation of women and men on party candidate lists. The presentation was followed by a lively question and answer session where the project partners shared their experiences and their own evaluation of the impact of the campaign in their particular country contexts.
A cross party group of MEPs also participated in the various panels: Ulrike Lunacek (Greens) MEP kindly hosted the conference, while MalinBjörk (GUE/NGL), Terry Reintke (Greens) and Sirpa Pietikainen (EPP) spoke about their experience and the challenges they faced in political life but also of their commitment to gender equality and women’s rights over the next five years.
Other panelists coming from diverse civil society organizations and institutions, including EWL Members, shared their concerns about equal representation in politics and their strategies to overcome the many remaining barriers to women’s equal participation. JuditTancoz (FEPS) gave an overview of the results of the EP Elections from a gender perspective, while Natalie Labourdette (Eurovision Academy) discussed the role of the media in promoting gender equality and women’s rights, citing good practice examples and tools to promote gender sensitive reporting.
GermanaVigliettaform the Italian Permanent Representation to the EU presented the priorities of the Italian Presidency, very much focused on employment and growth, and said that there is a gender pillar in the overall strategy. Serap Altinisik then handed over to her the Joint declaration of the 50/50 Campaign, highlighting that EWL hopes that the Italian Presidency will take concrete action to achieve parity and strengthen women’s right across Europe.
After a final speech by EWL President Viviane Teitelbaum, EWL Secretary General Joanna Maycock wrapped up the results of the conference, answering the question: “What can we do to boost equal representation?”
She pointed out SEVEN KEY POINTS emerging from the Parity Democracy and 50/50 Campaign and the discussions among the conference participants that feminist activists need to address:
- The need to introduce legislative quotas to achieve the equal representation of men and women. To achieve that, feminists need both to work inside political parties as well as raise awareness within civil society and the general public.
- Action needs to begin NOW on the local, national and European level in order to see results in the next EP Elections.
- Emphasis on improving women’s leadership skills, especially among young women, and motivating them to become more involved in politics.
- Promoting solidarity and collaboration among women politicians through the development of support networks.
- The need to campaign on zero tolerance toward everyday sexism.
- Strengthening the women’s movement in support of these goals.
- Working in close partnership with the media to promote gender sensitive reporting and to increase public dialogue on gender equality and women’s rights.
During the conference EWL also organized an interactive session, chaired by Annette Lawson (NAWO). Lawson asked the audience to vote to commit on several principles to ensure equal representation of women in politics and in civil society:
The principles for the achievement of parity and diversity in Europe:
1. Will you, whenever the possibility arises, ask your government to nominate one female and one male candidate for to the College of Commissioners and for all top jobs in the EU institutions as a principle of democracy and fairness?
2. Will you, whenever the topic of decision-making positions of EU institutions arises, ask your Member State and the Council of the EU to promote and to ensure gender parity in the executive board and top positions of the European Central Bank?
3. Will you ask the political groups in the European Parliament to promote and ensure gender representation in their decision-making bodies and promote women candidates for decision-making positions in the European Parliament as a matter of justice and diversity?
4. Will you speak out loudly within your own network and organization to have an equal representation of women and men in decision-making positions as a matter of inclusion and equality?
5. Will you ensure and raise the importance that specific needs of women of ethnic minorities are mainstreamed in all areas of policy-making?
6. Will you ask the EU to address and tackle the stereotypical representation and treatment of women in the media, including on social media?
7. Will you demand of your national government that they introduce ‘temporary special measures’ (as recommended by the CEDAW Committee to achieve level playing fields), to ensure greater representation of women in decision making?
The conference participants voted unanimously on all seven principles put forward, demonstrating their both their commitment and determination to continue to push for gender parity in political decision-making at all levels.
To view the conference programme click here.
Find a detailed booklet with speakers here
For more information please visit www.paritydemocracy.eu
