The European Women’s Lobby Working together for women’s rights and gender equality in Europe

Gender issues in the Western BalkansEuropean Economic and Social Committee

6 May 2014

Mary CollinsEWL Policy Officer

The situation of women in Europe Members of the European Parliament: 35% Women in national parliaments: 22% Women in national government: 26% Feminisation of poverty: 26.9% (against 24%) 22% women poor over 65 years (16% for men) 16% average gender pay gap 39% average gender pension gap 63% employment rate – close to pre-crisis levels Two-thirds of women work part-time 1 in 3 women experience male violence (physical, sexual, psychological) 1/5 women experienced rape 7 women die every day from male domestic violence 9 out of 10 women in prostitution would like to exit prostitution but feel

unable to do so

Why a European Women’s Lobby?No real equality between women and menDiscrepancies of legislation and realityNeed for women’s organisations to ally, share

information, develop common actionWomen’s voice and advocacy at European levelTogether, we can make a change!

The largest umbrella organisation of women’s associations in the EU

National co-ordinations in 31 European countries and 20 Europe-wide member organisations (migrant women, women farmers, women lawyers, trade unions, etc.)

Concentrating on European level, but activities range from local to international level

Aim to promote women’s rights and gender equality in Europe

The voice of women in Europe

EWL membership

EWL members from the Balkans:

Croatia, FYROM, Serbia

Working with…

European ParliamentEuropean CommissionCouncil of MinistersAdvisory BodiesEuropean Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE)Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA)

NGOs: Social Platform, European Civil Society Contact Group

EWL 50/50 Campaign:No modern democracy without parity

www.paritydemocracy.eu

EWL European Political

Mentoring Network

2013-2014

#EndVAWinEurope

• A comprehensive framework to achieve gender equality • Sustainable funding for gender equality• Credible EU policies on gender equality at international level• Women’s economic independence• Parity democracy• A caring society• A Europe free from violence against women• Diverse in equality @EuropeanWomen #EP2014

#EuropeanWomensVoice

EWL action to mobilise

voters

2014: Challenges ahead Impact of the crisis and austerity measures on women and

on women’s organisations (funding) Weakening/disappearance of institutional mechanisms for

gender equality and women’s rights Climate of conservatism and anti-feminism Impact of neoliberalism & consumer society on women’s

representations, roles and stereotypes Backlash against women’s rights, especially Sexual and

Reproductive Health and Rights

Challenges for women in the Balkans EP Report women’s rights in the Balkan accession

countries (MEP Marije Cornelissen, Resolution May 2013) : Not fully aware of legislation and policies to promote

gender equality/women’s rights Gender stereotypes, discrimination, conflict related sexual

violence (rape) – access to justice, gender-based violence, domestic violence, homophobia, transphobia, women in rural areas, low employment rate of women and in political decision-making, lack of statistical information on gender equality, 30% victims cross-border trafficking from Balkans, social inclusion of Roma slowed down/halted, difficult access to sexual and reproductive health

Challenges for women in the Balkans Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA –II, 2014-

2020) should be used to promote women’s rights/gender equality

Accession negotiations – agree framework agreement on involvement of civil society organisations – NB: women’s organisations – drafting of actions plans for reforms

Commission – monitor/report on gender equality/mainstreaming in progress reports

EU delegations – appoint staff to address gender policies

Challenges for women in the Balkans BIH Women’s Network – for the EU progress report 2014 – the

state of women’s rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Law Gender Equality (most recent 2010), Gender Action Plan

(2013-2017), 40% gender quota (2013), ratified Istabul Convention

Low levels of women in the labour-market (+/- 37%)– higher poverty among women

Problems with different maternity leave provisions (entities/cantons)

Discrimination against minorities – lack of women’s rights perspective, eg Roma, LBT – high levels of discrimination

Conflict sexual violence – prevailing stigma and exclusion – CEDAW (2013) accelerate National War Crime Strategy Law

The impact of austerity measures on women’s rights and gender equality

New EWL video clip:

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

www.womenlobby.org @Europeanwomen