EU News
International Women's Day
08 March 2006
Members of the European Parliament, international NGO's and CSO's took the opportunity of International Women's Day to organize various events, hearings and discussions. The following summarizes key events of that day:
-> Hearing: The EP GUE/NGL Group held a hearing to express concerns about SRHR in the EU and the increase of anti-choice measures and movements in several Member States, in contradiction to the ICPD Programme of Action. Hearing report. GUE/NGL group declaration on sexuality education and reproductive rights. To sign the declaration, please contact Ms Fatima Garcia in the EP secretariat of the GUE/NGL group: fgarcia@europarl.eu.int
-> Conference: A conference chaired by MEP Konrad Szymanski and co-organized by MaterCare, New Women for Europe and Christian Action Research & Education for Europe promoted anti-choice ideas & opposition to women's right to abortion in the EP. DSW participated with MSI, and MEP Anne Van Lancker's office in summarizing "lowlights" of the discussion from an SRHR and ICPD perspective, subsequently published on the EP GUE/NGL group site.
-> Press Conference: MEP Feleknas Uca convened a press conference to complete a fundraising campaign against FGM and in support of NAFGEM (Network Against Female Genital Mutilation). To learn more about NAFGEM, see: http://209.183.227.156/ipp/guardian/2005/02/22/33163.html.
-> Campaign: The EU launched a campaign against forced prostitution & sexual exploitation of women especially during big sporting events such as the upcoming Football World Cup in Germany. See more here.
-> A DSW press statement concerning International Women's Day can be read here (in German): http://www.weltbevoelkerung.de.
International Conference “What about Sex?”
6 & 7 March 2006
A report from this conference, organized by WPF & Rutgers Nisso Groep in Utrecht, Belgium, and announced in the last nEUws, includes conference outcomes and can be downloaded here: http://www.wpf.org/what_about_sex2.
EU Aid Effectiveness
02 March 2006
The European Commission has adopted a series of proposals to improve the effectiveness of development policies. Included are calls for increased Co-ordination of Member States Development Aid & harmonization of different procedures and criteria at the European level as well as the centralization of the role of the EC. Read the key documents.
Commission tackles gender inequality
03 March 2006
Gender inequality in the EU will be tackled by 21 specific activities over the next five years, as outlined in a new 'Roadmap for equality between men and women 2006-10' published by the European Commission. Proposed activities include a new €50 million European institute for gender equality. The roadmap aims to tackle the pay gap between men and women, support better work/life balance, eliminate violence and trafficking, support gender budgeting and promote gender equality both within and outside the EU. .
Sustainable Development Goals
O6 March 2006
A few hundred trade union and NGO activists attended a conference in Brussels to discuss the relationship between the EU's revised Lisbon Strategy for jobs and growth and the EU's sustainable development goals, concerned about loss of sustainable development as a distinct priority within EU policies. Weblink.
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