Join the debate about gender equality in the EU
Jackie Gregory
WVoN co-editor
How the European Union can achieve gender equality is up for debate at a forum to mark International Women’s Day.
And women from across Europe and beyond can take part via a live link-up set up by the team from Women’s Views On News.
Our writers will be live blogging from ‘A Woman’s Place Is In Europe’ this Friday, March 2, between 10am and 12 noon and will pass on questions and comments posted online.
Topics under the spotlight include:
- What has the EU done so far to advance the cause of gender equality in Europe?
- What further measures are in the pipeline?
- Should Europe do more or does it need to interfere less when it comes to improving women’s lot, particularly in the work place?
The line up of speakers include Emma Reynolds, shadow minister for Europe; European MPs Marina Yannakoudakis (Conservative) and Mary Honeyball (Labour) who both sit on the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee.
Also on the panel is Heather McGregor, who authors a weekend column in the Financial Times and is a director of communications at headhunters Taylor Bennett. The moderator is Shirin Wheeler, presenter of BBC’s The Record Europe.
Alison Clarke, founder of Women’s Views On News, said: “In lots of ways the European Union has been a driving force for gender equality with the introduction (and implementation) of legislation to combat violence and discrimination against women.
“But we need to ask why women across Europe are still paid less than men, are so badly represented in parliaments and are still being trafficked across European borders.
“This event gives us the opportunity to talk about these issues and to ask questions of a well-informed panel.
“We look forward to seeing you there but remember, if you can’t make it, you can still make your voice heard by clicking onto WVoN’s site and posting your comments on the live blogging post.”
The event is being held at Europa House, 32 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3EU.
To register, contact lucinda.pickersgill@europarl.europa.eu
A question I would like put forward to the panel is how they expect any chance of equality in men’s attitudes to women when abusing a women both verbally and physically is actively encouraged by men’s media behind freedom of speech? Unless Government takes seriously its obligations to stop mainstream media from publishing material that is directly inciting hatred of women, then all the other paper pushing of ‘rights’ is a complete smokescreen, you cannot enjoy rights if you have no safety to enjoy them with.