The European Women’s Lobby (EWL), the largest umbrella organization of women’s associations in the European Union, is urging to take action to ensure future EU funding for women’s rights.
The European Commission has proposed that, from 2014 to 2020, EU activities to promote equality between women and men and to fight violence against women will be financed through a programme called ‘Rights and Citizenship’. There will be no specific budget lines for gender equality and no independent Daphne Programme to combat violence.
The EWL warns that the focus, level and predictability of EU funding for gender equality, including violence against women and equality for all is at risk.
The programme is foreseen to have a budget of €387 million (2011 prices), which means an almost 16% decrease in comparison to the budgets of the current programmes. The EC’s proposals are now discussed by EU Member States and the European Parliament and the final decision will be taken in spring 2013.
The EWL is taking action to ensure that the Commission’s proposals will be improved and has prepared, together with other European equality networks, joint amendments to the EC proposals.
As the EWL points out: “The forthcoming decision on the overall budget and priorities of the Rights and Citizenship Programme that MEPs and member states will make is one of the most important women’s rights and gender equality issues on the EU agenda this year. “
This campaign for an adequate funding for women is implemented by the Italian Coordination of the European Women’s Lobby – LEF italia.
At a recent LEF conference in Milan, President Siusi Casaccia analyzed the campaign, as well as other EWL campaigns implemented by the Italian Coordination. Among them: the campaign against prostitution in Europe, the campaign for equal pay and the campaign to guarantee gender equality in pension systems.
During her speech, Siusi Casaccia reminded that gender equality has to be conceived as a cornerstone in society, not as a simple topic of discussion among women, according to the principles enshrined in the Italian Constitution and in the Lisbon Treaty.
Gender equality should be therefore respected at local level and in society at large.
Casaccia also spoke about gender pay gap, reminding that, although in Italy the differential is not as high as in some European countries, it is neverthesless a problem and has to be tackled. The objective is to reach 75% of employed women.
In the current economic downturn, women are most affected by the current economic crisis. Possibilities to make successful career are very little for women although their level of instruction is much higher than men.
IIn Italy women are paid about 36% less than men, jobs being equal.
Casaccia also raised the issue of women’s participation in boards of directors, that should be increased and reach 40% in 2020.
The focus of next LEF-Italia’s meeting, that will take place in May, will be “Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity”, which is also the theme of 2012 European Year.
Click here to take action with the EWL to ensure future EU funding for women’s rights.
