Mikael Gustafsson appointed as first man ever to the chair of EP Women’s Rights Committee
[European Parliament, Brussels, 03 October 2011] On Monday, Swedish MEP Mikael Gustafsson (GUE/NGL) was the first man to be elected chair of the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee since its establishment in 1984. After his election, by acclamation, Mr Gustafsson said: "I feel overwhelmed and honoured. The committee has put their trust in me, and I will do my outmost to live up to that trust".
Declaring that he would strive to continue the work of the former chair Eva-Britt Svensson, Mikael Gustafsson listed some challenges he wanted to work on, such as EU legislation to counter against violence against women, increase their economic independence and step up their influence in politics.
