Summary :
The Project “More Women in European Politics – More women in 2014” is aimed at increasing the participation and representation of women in European politics.
Despite the improvements in addressing inequality between men and women over the past 30-40 years, there is still a long way to go in realizing real equality. Getting more women into politics is part of the process of making more headway in realizing the goal of gender equality.
UN and EU level policy has strongly recognized the need for greater representation of women in political life. From the Beijing Platform for Action of 1995 through to the UN Joint Statement of 19 September 2011 on ‘Advancing Women’s Political Participation’ one can read the strong affirmation for gender equality in political life and the fact that reality still has not significantly changed.
Similarly, at European Union level, the Strategy for equality between women and men – 2010–2015 underlines that the Commission will ‘support efforts to promote greater participation by women in European Parliament elections including as candidates. Currently, within the European Parliament there are 35% women and 65% men. However, this masks significant variations across member states. Only 8 members states have a 40% or higher ratio of women in the EP. There is a long way still to go.
The project is based on the recognition that previous attempts to promote gender equality in politics have largely failed in that they have not involved political parties. In contrast, in order to advance gender equality we need to ensure the participation of political parties in the promotion of women in politics. The power to recruit, select and nominate candidates are in the hands of political parties, whatever the electoral system. That is why the partnership is unique in that it brings together National /regional NGO’s who have a well established track record in promoting gender equality alongside a range of national political parties who wish to address the issue of gender equality.
Activities
Each partner will set up a Women in Politics Group, made up of representative from women associations and/or from political parties.
The WPG will be responsible for the production of a baseline study, which creates a profile of women’s participation in politics.
Drawing up on evidence arising from the base line study, partners will launch a campaign which would:
- Undertake a series of actions to engage the target group ( workshops; seminars; debates, online events)
- Attract a group of women who have an interest in becoming candidates
- Providing a programme of support and capacity building to this group
- Undertake national dissemination
Alongside the local activities implemented by each partner, the project foresees a transnational exchange programme, made up of:
- two transnational workshops: the first enabling an exchange of experiences and the co-production of a common marketing logo; the second will enable partners to share their local campaigns strategies and thus will provide a an opportunity for peer learning
- an online programme
- a transnational dissemination event
- a series of three events targeted at member States not involved in the partnership.
This website has been produced with the financial support of the Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme of the European Union. The contents of this website are the sole responsibility of the Local Urban Development European Network and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission
Bulgarian MEP's Round Table
A round table on Women in European Politics was organized by Balkan Assist Association with the support of the Information Office of the European Parliament in Bulgaria on 24.01.2014, in Radisson Blu Grand Hotel - Sofia.
Bulgarian MEP's Round Table
Special guests: Mrs. Аntoniya Parvanova, member of the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality, Mrs. Mariya Gabriel, member of the Group of the European People's Party, Chair of the EPP- Women and Ms. Filiz Hiusmenova, Member of the Bureau of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.
Δώσε το στίγμα σου για την ισότητα
The campaign in Greece has the message "Give your position on gender" and addressed to all voters, men and women to achieve equality in politics. You will vote for equality http://www.dosetostigmasou.gr/
Workshop KMOP
22nd November in Athens.
They had speakers such as representatives from the European Commission in Greece, Monika Ekström, and the Information Office of the European Parliament in Greece, Antonis Kailis.
But also the General Secretariat for Gender Quality, the European Women's Lobby representation in Greece, political parties and local government representatives.
Program of training and support Bulgaria
December 2013. The partecipants were from different parts of the country and are supported by 9 different political parties, 3 of which are presented in the current Parliament.
Women Inspiring Europe 2013
Artemis Toumazi, CEO of the first and only cooperative bank in the world founded, financed, and operated by women
Board of women
Board of women's NGOs Cooperation Network (also members of LAG) on 10 December 2013 invited female members of Latvian Parliament to discuss Instambul Convention and participation of women in politics. Responses were received from 8 members of the Parliament out of 23.
Where are the women?
Ballybeen Women’s Centre attended the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Conference in Belfast on 23rd November.
Northern Ireland Assembley results 2011:
Total seats: 108
Women: 20
% women: 18.5%
1928 Committee
As a result of their participation in the project the Democratic Unionist Party have formed a women’s structure called the 1928 Committee which formally launched at their conference.
First Transnational workshop
First Transnational workshop, Tallinn, 18-19 September
At the workshop, partners engaged in an exchange which focused on four sub-themes:
1 The state of play of women as elected people in national parliaments, regional, local elected positions.
First Transnational workshop
First Transnational workshop, Tallinn, 18-19 September
2 The state of play of women's membership in political parties and what kind of position they have inside the parties
3 What actions have been undertaken up to now to address this issue of women in politics
First Transnational workshop
First Transnational workshop, Tallin, 18-19 September
4 What actions (if any) have been taken in your country at the legislative level to increase women’s representation in politics and participation in political life.
Gender Equality Index
Launch Conference, 13 June 2013
EIGE officially presented the methodology and the results of the Gender Equality Index
http://eige.europa.eu/content/gender-equality-index
Are we really jumping high?
Women and political in Bulgaria
http://www.ludenet.org/projects-files/6/activities/presentation-bulgaria-391.ppt
Successful campaign ideas
Have SMART objectives - Start from where the audience is - Tell stories, often of real people - Are visual - Lead to a call to action - Create events to mobilize and engage - Follow a critical path with significant milestones - Don't go straight for the 'big win' - Keep it simple, stupid! (KISS) http://www.ludenet.org/projects-files/6/activities/critical-pathway-campaigning-mel-herdon-217.pdf
Electoral quotas
There are two types of electoral quotas:
- Legal quotas (Constitutional or electoral law)
- Voluntary party quotas
http://www.ludenet.org/projects-files/6/activities/presentation-hungary-181.pptx
Women and political activism
External expert, Dr Rosie Campbell also contributed to the workshop by drawing attention to what various studies are indicating and what steps need to be taken to move the agenda forward.
http://www.ludenet.org/projects-files/6/activities/presentation-rosie-campbell-82.pptx
Does it matter?
Justice alone
Descriptive and substantive representation of women
Elite/mass connection in attitudes
Women Inspiring Europe 2013
Carola Fischbach - Pyttel, General Secretary of an ETUC Trade Union Federation
Discussion on Women in Politics
Meeting on “Women in Politics", 21.10.2013, Information Office of the European Parliament in Bulgaria, in Sofia. The local activities within the project were shared with participating sociologists, journalists, representatives of political parties, government institutions and NGOs.
Latvia LAG
The first meeting of the Latvian Local Action Group at EU House.
http://www.ludenet.org/projects/wiep/partners/women-s-ngos-cooperation-network-of-latvia
Presentation in Italian Senate 07/27/13
The Speaker was: Loredana De Petris (SEL), Elettra Deiana (SEL), Giorgia Bordoni (Local coordinator of project, SEL), Samia Oursana (LAG of MWP Italy), Rosa JIjon (LAG of MWP Italy), Isabella Peretti (mediator) and Miss. Cecile Kyenge, Minister for integration of Italy
Women's participation in decision-making
Laura Boldrini, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy analyzing how the EU Member States could increase women's participation
Expected outcomes
1. Increase in the numbers of women voting in the EP elections
2. 13 benchmark reports
3. To reach and engage between 10,000 and 14,000 women
4. 13 national campaigns have undertaken positive action
5. A campaign handbook/toolkit
Partnership
Balkan Assist AssociationPro Patria and Res Publica Union Women's OrganisationsKMOP (Family and Childcare Center)Regional Social Welfare Resource Center of Budapest / BSZFSinistra Ecologia e LibertàWomen's NGOs Cooperation Network of LatviaCenter for Equality AdvancementIntercultural Institute of TimisoaraAlliance of Women in SlovakiaInstitute for Social CreativityLiberal Women in SwedenBallybeen Women’s Centre LtdForum fifty percent
Project period
12 November 2012 – 11 November 2014