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Gender Equality Zita Gurmai N°02 / 2010 THE NEXT WAVE OF EMANCIPATION Magazine by FEPS - Foundation for European Progressive Studies www.feps-europe.eu/queries 1 About Queries Isaac Newton’s famous book Opticks concludes with a set of “Queries”. These Queries are not questions in the ordinary sense, but rather rhetorical questions intended to stimulate thinking. This was Newton’s mode of explaining “by query”. N°02 / 2010 GENDER SENSITIVE, PROGRESSIVE EUROPE Inside 8 Putting equality in the heart of the next Europe’s agenda Ernst Stetter 10 The next wave of emancipation Judit Tánczos 14 Social democracy and gender equality Zita Gurmai A COMMITMENT THAT ARISES FROM A CENTURY STRUGGLE 34 European social democracy and women Ghislaine Toutain 53 Gender and the British Labour Party Pat Thane 65 Gender and social democracy in Germany Christa Randzio-Plath 4 STRONGER FROM THE PAST, ENCOURAGING EXPERIENCES “Queries” is the scientific magazine of the Foundation for European 80 Gender equality policies Progressive Studies. in Spain The Foundation for European Progressive Studies is a European progressive political foundation, close to the Party of European Soledad Ruiz-Seguín and Marta Plaza Socialists (PES). As a platform for ideas, FEPS works in a close collaboration with social democratic organizations, and in particular 101 An ongoing challenge for Sweden - national foundations and think tanks, to tackle the challenges that one of the most equal countries Europe faces today. Publisher: FEPS – Foundation for European Progressive Studies Ylva Johansson First published in Belgium 2010 Publishing supervisor: Dr. Ernst Stetter (Secretary General – FEPS) Managing Editor of Queries: Dr. Ania Skrzypek (Policy Advisor – FEPS) THE NEXT AGENDA FOR A CHANGING With the financial support of the European Parliament. SOCIETY FEPS Team Massimo D’Alema 110 Inhabited by Animals and Beggars? President Andrea Pető Dr. Ernst Stetter Secretary General 117 Deeds, not words François Isserel-Savary Senior Policy Advisor Maite Morren Dr. Ania Skrzypek Policy Advisor Dr. Matthieu Méaulle Economic Advisor 128 Biographies Charlotte Billingham Executive Secretary Judit Tánczos Junior Policy Advisor Yolanda Fernandez-Romero Junior Policy Advisor David Kitching Junior Policy Advisor Gaston Simon Financial Advisor Designed by: Ogilvy Belgium Copyright © FEPS – Foundation for European Progressive Studies ISSN 2032-9113 This magazine is published subject to the condition that it shall not by way of trade or otherwise be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publishers’ prior consent in writing in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. The articles collected in the magazine reflect only the individual observations of the respective authors. FEPS Rue Montoyer 40, 1000 Brussels, Belgium Phone + 32 2 234 69 00, Fax + 32 2 280 03 83 [email protected] www.feps-europe.eu 5 01 6 Gender sensitive, progressive Europe 7 Putting equality in the heart of the next Europe’s agenda Dr. Ernst Stetter FEPS Secretary General Dear Readers, I am delighted to present the second issue of the FEPS – Foundation for European Progressive Studies’ scientific magazine – “Queries”, which we devoted to the theme of “The next wave of emancipation”. Since the beginning FEPS has been strongly involved in a debate on gender equality, which in fact was one of the very first projects that we established. In our work we researched and reviewed the history of the struggle for gender equality in national member states, in Europe and elaborated on the progressive agenda for the future. For this purpose we held numerous discussions, in Brus- sels, Boston and Paris – of which thanks is largely owed to the immense support of Jean Jaurès Foundation and Boston University. Same time I would like to extend my sincere words of gratitude also to the leading figures, who guided our debate nfluencingi its prosperous development and ensuring its significant impact: Ghislaine Toutain Head( of external relations at the Fondation Jean- Jaurès) and Zita Gurmai (FEPS Vice President, President of PES Women and MEP). Last but not least, I wish to also thank Judit Tánczos, FEPS Junior Policy Advisor, who tirelessly worked on this specific projects. I believe that this issue of “Queries” is a very important contribution to a debate on equality in Europe. The historical part allows to assess, what is in fact the progress that has been made on the national and European level since the formation of the socialist parties and the creation of Socialist International Women, respectively one century and a half ago. The interesting aspect of these texts is that it gives a glimpse on the evolution of the agenda of the women’s movements, showing it in a context of political history and the subsequent weaves of emancipation. The following chapters 8 present the challenges of the contemporary society, as also the situation in which women work and live. As a conclusion, it is clear that more energy, mobilisation and direction is needed. Despite significant progress ensured by committed women of several generations, to whom we all owe respect and gratitude, it is still the fact that equality is not enjoyed by women worldwide. It is still women, who are the majority of the population living in poverty, do not have a possibility to lift themselves out of it due to lack of any perspective for a Decent Work; it is still women, whose health and lives are endangered because of lack of appropriate treatment that would ensure safe conditions i.e. while working and during pregnancy. The anniversary of setting up the targets called “Millennium Development Goals” is a perfect historical opportunity to reiterate our commitments and pledges. It is crucial when the world is questioning liberalism and all the causes of the financial crisis that hit states, people and most harshly women. It is women, who are statistically leading among the long-term unemployed, employed in temporary or precarious jobs. It is women, who as traditional carers will feel so heavily the burden of the austerity measures and cuts in public services. During the previous crisis, the European socialists (within the Confederation of Socialist Parties of the European Communities) promised in the first Manifesto in 1984 to focus particularly on women, while discuss- ing the way of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s crisis. By then they promised to seek a solution within the context of redistribution and new division of work within the labour market. I strongly believe that today we must not only return to see what happened to these promises, but also must act more. The debate on political priorities is particularly timely nowadays, as it shall be the part of the grand debate launched within the socialist family on the necessity of renewing social democracy in Europe and worldwide. In this context, the concepts of equality and equal opportunities, inclusion, justice and emancipation shall be looked at in particular – what they mean today, since society has changed so much, how can they convince women to come and join our common struggle for a better future. Women can and must play a fundamental role in the renewal process, and it must be ensured from all sides. There are two conditions for that. The first one is to see it as a priority, while reconstructing the agenda and aiming at the new principles’ programmes. It must be a modern and multifaceted one, to provide answers as to what the progressive vision is in this complex reality of modern times. The second condition comes in the aspect of the organisational renewal and refers to the question of representation. I would like once again to thank all the authors, all the partner organizations in the gender equal- ity projects and in addition the editorial Team of “Queries” for their work and contribution. I hope that as readers you will find it valuable and provocative. As for the first edition we would also enjoy receiving some comments and suggestions from you. This is what the “Queries” in our understand- ing should serve for – bring along the key issues and inspire, enhance and lead the debate! 9 The next wave of emancipation Judit Tánczos FEPS Junior Policy Advisor Can you guess the common point between emancipation and FEPS? This question might seem odd at first. Nevertheless the articles in the second issue of Queries – The next wave of emancipation made me realise a similarity between these two: both are work in progress. Naturally, FEPS remains a work in progress in the most positive sense. It translates to a constant development, which offers new, sometimes provoking ideas on constructing a better society. Regarding gender equality, it is however rather less encouraging. Especially once one realised that after so many decades of struggle, we still experience and observe so many examples of gender discrimination. As a European progressive think tank, FEPS not only duly obeys the legal rules of non-discrimination between men and women, but it sees equality in general as our core principle, which we see as determinant while concluding studies or organizing activities. There are numerous angles from which we approach this value. This specific issue of Queries is devoted to one of them - gender equality. As such it is not only an inspiring collection of essays and articles, but above all mirrors the scope and the proposals elaborated within the FEPS Gender Equality project. Promoting of gender equality is for FEPS a multifaceted challenge. It begins with research, which in itself encompasses many different schools and traditions.Afterwards, translating these findings into practical solutions takes place through a multi-levelled conceptual approach towards this issue. On a general level, FEPS accepts and embraces the horizontal approach of gender equality.
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