European & International News

International news globe All the latest news from the European Union, its member states, and beyond.

European & International News
Pay transparency directive – a milestone in closing the gender pay gap?

Posted on 19 March 2021 |

[Brussels, 19 March 2021] The European Women’s Lobby (EWL) welcomes the recently adopted legislative proposal on pay transparency by the European Commission, which has been long overdue. While there are many positive measures in the proposal including a definition of ‘work of equal value’, the EWL regrets that mandatory reporting on the gender pay gap only concerns companies with 250 workers, which excludes many sectors where women work, particularly in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (...) Read more
European & International News
EWL in solidarity with all protesting in Poland against threats to access abortion

Posted on 27 October 2020 |

[Brussels, Oct 2020] The European Women’s Lobby sends its solidarity and energy to all those maintaining protests against a recent Polish Constitutional Court ruling against abortions in cases of foetal abnormalities. The EWL calls on the Polish Government to ensure there are no restrictions to access to abortion and that all women have access to all reproductive services in a free, safe legal manner as soon as possible.
For years now, feminist activists have been organising to protect the (...) Read more
European & International News
PROSTITUTION: NEITHER SEX NOR WORK!

Posted on 28 March 2019 |

[Brussels, 28 March 2018]
After Paris (2014) and New-Delhi (2017), CAP international and its 27 member organisations from 22 countries will hold their 3rd World Congress against the sexual exploitation of women and girls in Mainz.
This Congress is hosted by SOLWODI, German member organisation of CAP intl, Armut und Gesundheit e.V., and organised with the support and participation of the whole abolitionist movement in Germany.
The Congress will be opened by a Survivors’ Day on the 2nd of (...) Read more
European & International News
Council of Europe adopts first-ever international legal instrument to stop sexism

Posted on 28 March 2019 |

[Brussels, 28 March 2018] The European Women’s Lobby welcomes the adoption of the Council of Europe recommendation on preventing and combating sexism: the first-ever dedicated international legal instrument defining and addressing sexism.
According to this Recommendation just adopted by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers., States should step up their fight against sexism in all walks of life. Furthermore, member states will be requested to monitor progress in implementing its (...) Read more
European & International News
Women Rule Summit 2019

Posted on 20 March 2019 |

[Brussels, 20 March 2018]
Europe does a poor job in distributing power between men and women and it’s not for lack of competent women. With a longstanding interest in women empowerment, POLITICO is delighted to present its 2019 Women Rule series.
Exploring new leadership models in light of the European elections in May and the challenges associated with gender equality at the international, European and national level, the series will include news-making interviews, podcasts, networking (...) Read more
European & International News
Open Letter to the EPSCO Council: Congratulations, nearly there!

Posted on 11 March 2019 |

Brussels, 11th March 2019 After 5 months of Trilogues on the EU Work-Life Balance (WLB) Directive, which were monitored closely by European civil society networks and organisations, the co-legislators reached an agreement on 24th January 2019. As first legislative proposal to follow the proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights in November 2017, which aims to develop a robust social dimension of the EU, the Work-Life Balance Directive offers clear improvements for families and (...) Read more
European & International News
Work-Life-Balance Directive: update beginning 2019

Posted on 22 January 2019 |

[Brussels, 7 February 2019] In April 2017, the European Commission launched its proposal for a Directive on family related leave covering parental leave, paternity leave, carer’s leave and the right to request flexible working arrangements on return to work for reasons related to care responsibilities. The Directive, once adopted, will replace the existing EU Directive on Parental leave (2010/18/EU) negotiated and adopted by the Social Partners in 2010. The WLB Directive is part of the (...) Read more
European & International News
EWL welcomes the adoption by the European Parliament of the [Equality], Rights and Values Programme

Posted on 22 January 2019 |

[Brussels, 18 January 2019] The European Women’s Lobby welcomes the adoption by the European Parliament of the report on the [Equality] Rights and Values Programme, the funding instrument aimed at supporting civil society organisations promoting democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights including equality between women and men. The Programme is part of the legislative proposals for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework.
The EWL particularly welcomes the inclusion of two (new) (...) Read more
European & International News
New European Parliament Report calls for more gender equal taxation policies in the EU

Posted on 22 January 2019 |

[Brussels, 21 January 2019] The EWL welcomes the adoption by the European Parliament of a non-legislative Report on gender equality and taxation policies in the EU. Passing with 313 votes in favor, 276 against and 88 abstentions, it recognises the gender biases in the existing EU taxation policies and highlights the importance of tax justice for gender quality. The Report is a step towards fairer fiscal policies and a more equal distribution of wealth, opportunities, income, goods and (...) Read more
European & International News
New Oxfam report sheds light on women’s experience of in-work poverty across Europe

Posted on 29 November 2018 |

[Brussels, 7 November 2018] On the invitation of Oxfam Intermón, Mary Collins, EWL Secretariat, attended the study presentation “Raising their voices against precariousness. Women’s experience of in-work poverty in Europe” on 7 November 2018. The event was hosted by Tania González & Ernest Urtasun, Meps and listed as speakers Enrique Maruri, Director of Campaigns and Citizenship, and Ana María Claver Muñoz, Researcher and responsible of the study, from Oxfam Intermón. The report focuses on (...) Read more