European Women's Lobby Européen des femmes : Women in Decision-Making

The equal representation of women and men in decision-making

Posted on 11 February 2010

For the EWL, this under-representation of women constitutes a serious democratic deficit, which undermines the legitimacy of the contemporary democratic ideal. Parity democracy and the promotion of women in decision-making positions are therefore important areas of action for EWL. Parity democracy implies the equal representation of women and men in decision-making positions. It goes a step further than quotas as it is based on the idea that women are not a minority: they represent more than half of humanity – a quantitative dimension – and one of its components – a qualitative dimension.

In view of the 2009 European elections, the EWL conducted a very successful European-wide cross-party 50/50 Campaign, which aimed at putting pressure on political parties and decisions makers to make sure that women were equally represented in the new European Parliament and Commission 2009-2014 as well as in all European top political posts.

The European Women’s Lobby continues to work with its members to highlight this issue whenever relevant and is asking the European Commission, Parliament and national decision-makers to introduce binding measures for parity in the private sector, the EU institutions and at national level, especially given that such measures already exist in a number of Member States.

For a comprehensive overview of the current situation in terms of women in decision-making in the EU, and the most recent European policies in this area, see the chapter in the EWL’s Beijing+15 Report on Women in Power and Decision Making.

News

President of the European Women’s Lobby addresses members of the EP Women’s Rights Committee

[Brussels, 29 May 2013] Today, EWL President Viviane Teitelbaum addressed the Women’s Rights Committee of the European Parliament. She was invited to present the views of the European Women’s (...)

» read more

Online debate: iKnow Politics - Political Financing for Women (27 May)

(Brussels 24 May) On Monday 27 May next, an online discussion moderated by iKNOW Politics (International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics) about Political Financing for Women will be held. (...)

» read more

Croatia elects 50/50 male female MEPs for European Parliament

(Brussels 24 April, 2013) In June 2013, Croatia will join the EU as the 28th Member State - and the first elections for 12 Croat members of the European Parliament was held on the 14th of April (...)

» read more

» More News

Our Voice

Press Release: Offical Launch of the 50/50 Mentoring Campaign

Launch of the 50/50 Mentoring Campaign European Parliament Tuesday 09 April 2013 10.15- 11.00am Room: A5 G305 The European Women’s Lobby is delighted to announce the launch of the 50/50 (...)

» read more

Women on boards: a first step towards meritocracy

European Women’s Lobby welcomes Commission’s legislative proposal for greater gender balance on boards of administration and calls on EU legislators to strengthen text [Brussels, 15 November 2012] (...)

» read more

Nine countries move to block key EU equality legislation for women on boards

Brussels, 19 September 2012 Dear EU leaders, We, members of the European Women’s Lobby and representing women’s associations from across the European Union, are very concerned at the news that a (...)

Take Action!

Support KVINFO’s mentoring network - sign the petition now

(Brussels, 12 April 2013) Last Sunday, the news that the Danish government decided to cut funding to KVINFO’s mentor network arrived. The mentoring network, one of the most successful integration (...)

» read more

Share your views on EU Citizenship for women!

[Brussels, 03 August 2012] Ahead of the upcoming European Year of Citizens 2013, the European Commission has launched a Public Consultation to give the chance to individuals to give their views (...)

» read more

Share your views on women on boards in the EU!

[Brussels, 23 April 2012] European Commission has launched a public consultation, seeking advice on it should address the persistent gender imbalance in corporate boardrooms in the EU. Both (...)

» read more

» More Campaigns, Appeals and Actions