EUROPEAN WOMEN’S LOBBY Membership Review October 2011 EWL Board meeting October 2011
Assessment as of October national co-ordinations and 17 European-wide organisations responded to date (first level) A number of members of members responded (second level) – no assessment of these yet
Main findings part 1 Who are we?
Combined: national + European-wide = approximately organisations Main findings part 1 Who are we?
Criteria for membership: National co-ordinations: Women’s organisations/women’s sections of other organisations/organisations comprising majority women in membership Mixed organisations: Foundations/Human Rights/social/ political/humanitarian (aim gender equality) Pre-existed as organisation for a period of time Active in a number of federal states /regional platforms.
Main findings part 1 Who are we? Minimum number of members Registered organisations (but not in all cases) Feminist organisations Autonomous organisations Explicit non political organisations Explicit women of political parties Majority – adopt members at GA; others Board: vote or consensus
Criteria for membership: European-wide organisations: Organisations in field of activity (girl guides, disability, farmers, etc) 2 Trade Unions (ETUC, CESI) 2 organisations with individual members Organisations as members - different types of membership categories Majority – vote membership via the Board of organisation Council agreement Main findings part 1 Who are we?
Main findings part 2 How do we work?
Thematic Working Groups: Violence against women Economic issues Health Women in decision-making Education Women and Sports
Main findings part 2 How do we work?
Main findings part 1 Who are we?
Main findings part 2 How do we work?
Main findings part 3 Areas of expertise Women in decision-making Violence against women EU gender equality policies and legislation Gender mainstreaming and budgeting Diversity, anti-discrimination, health, women’s rights in international context Trafficking in human beings, women peace and security Gender education, women in politics Federalism, promotion of EU integration, EU citizenship
Main findings part 4 Relationship with EWL
Suggestions for improving relationship More face-to-face meetings, seminars, workshops Direct visits to countries; regional analysis Improve EWL Internal Rules and Statutes General Assembly every two years Follow-up to recommendations from Issue Groups Structured ad-hoc working groups Translation of documents More feedback for European-wide with no seat on Board Main findings part 5 Expectations and wishes
Facilitate European projects – partnerships EWL members Monitoring mechanism – financial/economic crisis: impact on women Gender Sensitive Watch Committee – political leaders Complaints mechanism Main findings part 5 Expectations and wishes
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!