European & International News

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European & International News
Awareness raising campaign in Strasbourg: women are not objects

Posted on 7 December 2011 |

[Brussels, 07 December 2011] The City of Strasbourg, in partnership with the French NGO Mouvement du Nid, has launched a campaign aiming at raising awareness about the system of prostitution.
The campaign consists of a series of actions in relation to the International Day against all forms of violence against women, and in particular a poster stating that ‘Women are not objects’ (‘une femme n’est pas un objet’).
The Mouvement du Nid is a partner of the EWL campaign ‘Together for a Europe Free (...) Read more
European & International News
Zéro Macho: Men say NO to prostitution

Posted on 7 December 2011 |

[Brussels, 07 December 2011] A French network of men standing against prostitution has just been created and gathers more than 200 men calling for equality between women and men and an end to machismo.
With the title ‘Nous n’irons plus au bois’ (literally ‘We will no longer go to the woods’, meaning that we shall no longer engage with the system of prostitution), their manifesto calls for sexual liberation and an end to the justification of prostitution as men’s right.
This initiative also (...) Read more
European & International News
Gap between the richest and poorest at highest level in 30 years

Posted on 6 December 2011 |

[Brussels, 06 December 2011] On 05 December the OECD published a new report “Divided We Stand: Why Inequality Keeps Rising” showing that the gap between rich and poor in OECD countries has reached its highest level for over over 30 years. The average income of the richest 10% is now about nine times that of the poorest 10% across the OECD.
See the video on youtube visualising the figures in the (...) Read more
European & International News
Perception of positive impact of EU policies on social situation dips dramatically

Posted on 2 December 2011 |

[Social Platform, Brussels, 01 December 2011] The EU observer reported on a Commission survey on social issues that was released this week. It shows that the public’s belief that the EU is having a positive impact on employment and social policy - policies with the biggest impact on ordinary peoples’ lives - has sharply declined in almost all countries.
Before the economic crisis the level of support for EU social policies remained stable over a number of years. Between 62 and 78 percent of (...) Read more
European & International News
European Commission Advisory Committee adopts Opinion on the gender dimension of active ageing and solidarity between generations

Posted on 1 December 2011 |

[Brussels, 01 December 2011] In January 2011, the European Commission Advisory Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men decided to set up a working group to prepare an Opinion on the gender dimension of active ageing in preparation for the European year of Active Ageing and Solidarity of Generations.
Considering the political context and ongoing initiatives in the field of healthy, dignified and active ageing, the Advisory Committee was mandated to consider the following points: (...) Read more
European & International News
Egypt - Women turn out in high numbers to vote, yet their share in parliament looks to be slim

Posted on 29 November 2011 |

[Ahram online, 29 November 2011] Preliminary reports from the first day of Egypt’s historic parliamentary elections suggest that women voters have turned out in high numbers to make their voices heard.
However, some women’s rights campaigners fear that, despite the enthusiasm of female voters, the new parliament will see a record low in the number of women elected.
Women, who were given the vote in 1956, have historically been under-represented in political life in Egypt. A quota of seats (...) Read more
European & International News
Human rights of women and girls at ‘extreme risk’ in nearly half the world – Maplecroft index

Companies operating in resource-rich countries risk complicity in actions by security forces against women

Posted on 27 November 2011 |

[Maplecroft, 17 November 2011] New research into the extent of protection of women and girls has revealed that the risk of human rights abuses, such as sexual violence, discrimination, trafficking and sexual exploitation, are at ‘extreme’ levels in just over 40% of the 197 countries studied.
The results of the Women’s and Girls’ Right Index (WGRI), released by risk analysis and mapping company Maplecroft, reveal that the rights of women and girls are at ‘extreme risk’ within 80 countries, (...) Read more
European & International News
EU urged to take lead against gender-based violence

Posted on 24 November 2011 |

[TheParliament.com, Brussels, 25 November 2011] The EU must be at the forefront of efforts to combat violence against women, according to European commissioner Viviane Reding.
Writing in the latest issue of the Parliament Magazine, the commission vice-president for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship says that the EU institutions are "working hand-in-hand" to combat gender-based violence.
Her comments came in a special feature to mark the international day for the elimination of (...) Read more
European & International News
Women’s shelters in Europe are lacking effective political and financial support, says WAVE

Posted on 24 November 2011 |

[Women Against Violence Europe, Brussels, 24 November 2011] The increasingly tense global economic situation does not spare the most crucially needed social services. Among them are women’s support services, which specifically engage in the effort to end violence against women and their children. Despite the international and European developments with regards to declarations and treaties, in reality the implementation of political statements and national legislation is lagging far behind. (...) Read more
European & International News
European Commission issues statement underlining strong commitment to combating violence against women

Posted on 24 November 2011 |

[Brussels, 25 November 2011] Today, on the ocasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, representatives of the European Commission have issued a joint Statement stressing the commitment of the EU executive to combating violence against women. The EWL welcomes the Statement by the High Representative / Vice President Catherine Ashton, Andris Piebalgs, EU Commissioner for Development, and Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, and calls for (...) Read more