[Event] Women on boards in Europe: From a snail’s pace to a giant leap with EU measures?
Our friends at the European Women’s Lobby and Edelman | The Centre are organising the below event on Women on Boards in Europe. A cause we greatly support here at WIIS!
The event will take place on 29 February 2012 from 18:00 to 19:45 and will be followed by drinks.
Speakers:
- Marije Cornelissen, MEP (Greens/NL) Shadow rapporteur for the EP report ‘Women in Business Leadership’
- Sabine de Bethune, President of the Belgian Senate (CD&V)
- Cécile Gréboval, Secretary General, European Women’s Lobby
- Peter Sørlien, Councellor for equality, Mission of Norway to the EU
Moderated by Simon Wilson, Director, Edelman | The Centre
The Centre and the European Women Lobby (EWL) invite you to the presentation of the EWL report ‘Women on Boards in Europe – From a snail’s pace to a giant leap?’ and discuss state of play and expectations that stakeholders across the board have on Vice-President Reding’s upcoming proposal for EU measures to push for greater parity in the business world.
On average, women account for 12% of board members in European companies while 97% of their Chief Executives wear a suit and a tie. Women’s share on EU company boards has increased by only 2% over the last five years. To change the snail’s pace at which the business world is advancing towards parity, a few EU member states have followed the example of Norway and introduced binding legislation, while others have adopted non-binding targets or encouraged self-regulation.
Yet, the vast majority of governments and companies have remained inactive, but they might have to take action soon.
In March 2011, European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding launched an initiative aimed at increasing women’s representation on company boards to 30% by 2015 and 40% by 2020. With her “Women on the Board Pledge for Europe”, she gave self-regulation the last chance before EU-level regulation. In early March, Vice-President Reding will announce which measures she intends to take up on EU level to increase the number of women on company boards.
Strong EU intervention can ensure equal representation of women and men in economic decision-making in all EU Member States, but will the Commission seize the opportunity to turn the slow progress into a giant leap?
To register, please send an email with ‘Women on boards’ in the subject field and stating clearly your name and organisation to: meet@thecentre.eu
The event will take place at:
Edelman | The Centre
Avenue Marnix 22
B-1000 Brussels
Room capacity is limited and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
The European Women’s Lobby (EWL) is the largest umbrella organisation of women’s associations in the European Union (EU), working to promote women’s rights and equality between women and men.
The Centre, Brussels’ first think-do tank, has merged with Edelman, the world’s largest independent public relations firm, creating a new firm called Edelman|The Centre.
Amnesty Campaign: End Female Genital Mutilation
A quick post to draw your attention to an important issue that we should all be aware of – and where EU wide action is needed.
From the campaign website:
The END FGM campaign is a three-year Europe-wide campaign led by Amnesty International Ireland. It is running in partnership with non-governmental organisations that work directly with national governments in EU member states.
The campaign is committed to ensuring that the European Union adopts a definitive strategy to end female genital mutilation and provide protection to women and girls who flee their countries for fear of being mutilated.
Watch the video below or visit the campaign’s website for more information.
A lesson in democracy
On November 8th WIIS welcomed leaders from Congolese NGOs on the role of women in the DRC’s upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections to be held on November 28th.The declining visibility of women in the electoral process is a trend that these NGOs have continuously fought against since the last election in 2006. Annie Matundu Mbambi, Independent Gender Consultant, Member of the Permanent Consultation Forum for Congolese Women (CAFCO) and President of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom DRC described the state of play and concluded that the chances of getting women elected are bleak. She cited illiteracy, lack of trust, solidarity, training and a legal void as the principal obstacles to women’s participation in political life. Only 8% of the current National Assembly deputies are women and 5% in the Senate. Furthermore, none of the current presidential candidates are women. While female representation is somewhat higher at a provincial level, there is still one province with no female deputies at all.
Marie-Claire Ruhamyam, President of the Interregional Congolese Womens Forum (FIREFEC) explained the work of her Belgium-based organisation in lobbying for the cause of women in the DRC. While women’s group all over Congo often the ability and will to actively change the situation, often the lack of financial and material means put a stop to those ambitions. Key goals for FIREFEC are increasing public awareness of the gender issue and mobilising people. She described Kafkaesque situations of voters being refused registration on electoral lists, and under-age voters being registered to increase numbers.
CAFCO and FIREFEC have deployed several strategies to raise awareness of the importance of including women on electoral lists, also given that some political parties in 2011 have refused to place them. They have worked with the National Electoral Commission to address this problem and continue to monitor the ongoing electoral campaigns. Since 2008 they have organised “electoral clinics” to help educate women about their civil rights as well as making men more conscious of gender issues. Together with the Mediation Committee, they plan to deploy similar initiatives for the provincial elections in the years 2012-2013.
The marginalisation of women in Congo is related to the persisting insecurity in many parts of the country. “Back in 2006, women went to vote in the hope an end would be brought tothe spread of sexual violence” explained but as rape is still a major (security) issue the risk is real that ”most women are not going to vote”. CAFCO and FIREFEC have deployed their resources to nevertheless encourage women to exercise their democratic rights by educating them, despite the logistical and cultural obstacles that prevail. They seek special attention for helping (illiterate) women at the ballots, as casting a vote on 56 page voting lists can be discouraging for most of them. Several anecdotes on voting bureaus closing far too early, preventing enrolment, were mentioned. The role of special observers from the EU, UN, AU as well as regional and national observers is crucial according to them. Despite being deployed in small numbers, the logistical feats they face are huge with only two weeks to go.
Lastly, solidarity amongst these NGO’s and pressure groups abroad representing the Congolose diaspora, as well as European female MPs, are key in ensuring that the necessary resources find their way to these women.
WIIS Brussels hope to continue this dialogue and help the cause of Congolese women in building a stable and peaceful democracy.
[Event Report] Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic Ambitions
On Thursday October 6th WIIS welcomed Georgian Deputy Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Helen Khoshtaria, who spoke about Georgia’s aspirations in the Euro-Atlantic security structures and wider political integration with the EU and NATO. She also focused her talk on the role of women and civil society at large in shaping the country’s development in the aftermath of the 2003 ‘Rose Revolution’.
In the backdrop of the Bucharest declaration and European Eastern Partnership summit in Warsaw, Khoshtaria noted that “huge progress” has been made when it came to cooperation with NATO since 2004 and highlighted the increase in initiatives and mutual benefits of this cooperation. The successful sets of reforms have undoubtedly opened up the prospects for Georgia’s for Euro-Atlantic integration. Georgia has become a “credible partner”, can deliver and make a difference. Likewise, the EU and NATO see Georgia as an important security interlocutor for the region. Commenting on Georgia’s place in Europe, EU/NATO strategy and engagement with Russia, Khoshtaria said the fundamental challenge is how the West will position itself vis-à-vis the region and its territorial conflicts. Georgia will seek to strengthen ties with both EU and NATO through pragmatic initiatives.
Khoshtaria spoke of a “wasted decade” for Georgia after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Reforms stalled because of rampant corruption, civil war, lack of vision and leadership and weak state structures. Civil society remained as the most visible “fundament” in rebuilding the Georgian state. She talked about the active role played by women in the peaceful reintegration of society as well as democratic state building. She guarded against painting ”too rosy” a picture of the revolution’s accomplishments.
With time, Georgia has proven to be a democratic example for countries in the region, in large part due to the unrelenting fight against corruption. What to make of the advancement of women’s participation in the public sector and the legal guarantees of women’s social rights? “The Rose Revolution encouraged women to get into government, business and break professional stereotypes”. Helen Khoshtaria responded to participants’ questions on Georgia’s gender policies and the need for quotas. She rejected the existence of legal-based gender discrimination, insisted that a basic set of laws defends gender equality and that Georgian society has embraced meritocratic values. In the higher ranks of government many women can be found at deputy and ministerial level yet in comparison there are fewer female deputies in Parliament. A woman is currently the head of the national police, having led the profound reform of the force. Delegations abroad are also staffed with women. “They are the face of the reforms”. Khoshtaria also pointed out that the Working Group elaborating the National Action Plan on the UN 1325 Resolution will lead to additional opportunities for the involvement of women in security and defence.
[Photos] Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic Ambitions
Georgia – Helen Khoshtaria, a set on Flickr.
Photos from our event with Helen Khoshtaria, Georgian Deputy Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.
[Upcoming Event] Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic ambitions
WIIS Brussels cordially invite you to a debate on
Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic ambitions
with
Helen Khoshtaria, Deputy State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Georgia
As the Warsaw Summit on Eastern Partnership draws to a close, and just a month before Secretary General Rasmussen’s visit to Georgia, Helen Khoshtaria will discuss Georgia’s aspirations for Euro-Atlantic integration, and the key role of women in the country’s reform process. Khoshtaria is Georgia’s Deputy Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. She was previously Deputy Head of NATO Integration and International Relations Department at the Ministry of Defence, Head of International Relations Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Coordinator of International Relations at Ministry of Internal Affairs, Reform Agency.
Thursday October 6th at 18h30
Sofitel Europe, Place Jourdan, Brussels
Participation fee: 5€
To register, please email wiisbrussels@gmail.com
Photos are up!
We have uploaded some photos from last week’s event on Women in the Arab Spring, please take a look at our Flickr stream to view all of them. Click here to see the rest of the photos.
Many thanks go to photographer George Gavanas!
[Event report] “Women have been kind to revolutions, but revolutions haven’t always been kind to them”
As you may know, WIIS Brussels hosted its event on Women in the Arab Spring last Tuesday. A big thanks again to all the speakers and participants, it was a fascinating debate and much more could’ve been said, if only it wasn’t for the time limit & drinks awaiting us. In all seriousness though, please feel free to continue the debate in the comments section of this event report, which we hope you’ll enjoy. Photos coming soon!
WIIS Evening Debate, 24th May 2011 – Arab Spring : The Role of Women
The sweeping social and political changes of the Arab Spring are far from over. Regardless, participants at the latest WIIS evening gathered to debate whether the notable prominence of women in the street protests of Egypt and Tunisia would result in a greater role in the post-revolution society. Moderated by Shada Islam, Head of the Asia Programme for Friends of Europe, the discussion focused on gender equality in politics, the importance of wider economic development and the risk of a greater degradation of female rights under potential Islamist governments.
Rouba Al-Fattal, Co-founder of the Euro-Arab Forum, emphasized the opportunities raised by social media for mobilizing women politically. “Young women are very active using new media, and having social media allowed them the space to communicate together; to find women like them willing to go out onto the street”, she enthused.
However, with such opportunities also arise dangers. “Women have been very kind to revolutions, but revolutions have not been kind to them”, Al-Fattal warned, noting a history of women being sidelined once the “street” phase of a revolution subsides. The real question then, is “not about how much of a role they played in the revolutions, but how much they will be limited by religious backgrounds, or whether or not they can push social boundaries in the wake of these changes”, she cautioned.
Noureddine Fridhi, EU Correspondent for Alarabiya Channel and Alhayat Newspaper, thanked participants for the opportunity to “pay tribute to the Tunisian women and what they did” during the revolution in his country. “I saw the whole society, from all backgrounds, on the street”, Noureddine confirmed. “Women are part of the Spring, wherever it will go.”
The senior journalist noted with optimism that the post-revolution Tunisian political landscape was strongly pushing for a radical gender equality agenda, including many political parties adopting a 50/50 gender quota for any new government. Yet he also soberly recognized the challenges ahead, and that women’s’ rights risked being abused due to the security uncertainties facing Tunisia. “We know we have a lot of difficulties – those who were vulnerable before the revolutions are even more so now. But we can not go back.”
Maged Mosleh, Counselor at the Egyptian Embassy to Belgium wanted to emphasize the importance of economic development in enhancing the post-revolution society. Pointing out that both men and women have a secondary education enrollment rate of around 15% in Egypt, he criticized a focus on gender inequality. “The problem is not a 0.8% difference between the two; it is the very low 15% enrollment rate. The problem is development, regardless of gender.” Only if development can be secured for the country as a whole, can the role of women be advanced, the diplomat declared.
Looking to the EU, Mosleh criticized the characterization of women’s rights in the Arab Spring by some nations, especially regarding issues of Islamic custom, such as wearing the veil. “The whole idea of a ‘veiled’ or ‘unveiled’ woman simply reinforces stereotypes about the role of women in Islamic society”, he said. He advocated moving beyond such a focus, claiming “an important role for the EU could be to promote tolerance in respect to veils and women” within Europe, to then help advance social standards in the Middle East.
Overall, participants agreed that both women and men had seized genuine freedom through the Arab Spring. “Dignity has no gender, everybody was fed up”, Al-Fattal said. More importantly, this grass-roots revolution has “broken the stereotype of the Arab woman being very submissive, or scared.” With such restrictions broken, there seems a real opportunity to transform the role of women in Arab societies for the better.
[Press Release] Women have supported the Arab Spring, but will the Arab Spring now support women?
PRESS RELEASE – 23 MAY 2011 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WIIS BRUSSELS
Women have supported the Arab spring.
But will the Arab spring now support women?
While the Arab spring was not about gender equality, women significantly participated in – and in some cases led – the protests that were the first stage in the remarkable change that is sweeping through the Arab world.
Upcoming event: Arab Spring – the Role of Women
With all that has been happening in the Middle East in the past months, we couldn’t help but wonder – what role have women played in the events in Tunesia, Egypt, Yemen, Syria, Morocco etc.? We’re not the only ones.
A great opinion piece on the topic has been written by Shahin Cole and Juan Cole, first seen on Tomdispatch, then on Le Monde Diplomatique and others.
Their article will certainly provide inspiration for the next event we are hosting: an evening debate on the 24th of May.
Speakers will include Sabra Bano, Director at Gender Concerns International, Rouba Al-Fattal, Co-Founder of the Euro-Arab Forum, and Maged Mosleh, Counsellor at the Egyptian Embassy. The debate will be moderated by Shada Islam, Head of the Asia Programme at Friends of Europe.
UPDATE! The event will now take place at the Brussels Press Club, Rue Froissart 95, 1040 Brussels, from 18.30 – 20.00. There’ll be a 5€ entry charge to cover the costs, including drinks afterwards.
Register by sending an e-mail to wiisbrussels@gmail.com
