n Activity Report n

October 2012 - February 2014

Party of European Socialists n Activity Report n October 2012 - February 2014

INTRODUCTION

ES Women brings together women - MPs, groups and high level groups) and supports MEPs and activists - from PES member the increase of women in decision-making in Pparties to discuss and promote gender PES member parties and governments. The PES equality within and outside the PES. It promotes Women President is a full member of the PES gender equality on two different levels. Presidency and thus has the right to vote on PES Firstly, PES Women has strengthened the decisions. policy and campaigning dimension of its work, Since the last PES Congress of Prague in 2009 in terms of formulating and advocating policy and the subsequent PES Women elections, recommendations on various issues. PES Women PES Women has reinforced its role in both of also actively contributes to PES policy papers and these respects and has entered a period of declarations to ensure that the gender dimension reinforced cooperation amongst its members. Its is taken into account across the PES policy activities and campaigns, outlined in this report, spectrum. demonstrate this positive evolution. Secondly, PES Women pushes for equal representation in PES bodies (such as working

Party of European Socialists

Activity Report October 2012 – February 2014 Activity Report October 2012 – February 2014 ELECTION OF PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENTS STATUTORY MEETINGS AND BUREAU

ES Women members, who are nominated by In 2013 again PES Women Bureau members t an extra-ordinary statutory meeting at P PES member parties, meet three times a year to: and PES Women members have been active on A the last PES Women Annual Conference various aspects gender issues, at the European (September 2012, Brussels), Zita Gurmai MEP n Discuss strategic initiatives and specific policy level as around the world, strengthening was re-elected President of PES Women. At the themes. collaboration with sister parties in USA, in Africa same election Rovana Plumb, Tuula Peltonen, n Agree on campaigns and resolutions. or in Latin-America. Anna Karamanou and Marja Bijl were elected n Share information on relevant European and as the four Vice-Presidents. A new composition national policies. was formed among the 13 bureau-members which assist in the preparation and follow-up of meetings during the executive meetings (see annex for list of the whole Executive which comprises the President, Vice-Presidents and Bureau).

Zita Gurmai

Rovana Plumb GENDER MAINSTREAMING

Marja Bijl ES Women actively contributes to PES policy other PES Women Representative was particularly P documents in order to guarantee that the involved in the party’s work on the Fundamental gender dimension of all policies is taken into Programme, the PES Council, the PES Working account. Group on the 2014 Candidate, the Manifesto A specific adviser in the PES Secretariat is the Process and as well as the PES thematic networks. Anna Karamanou Tuula Peltonen reference point for these contributions under the Especially the PES Fundamental Programme and direction of the PES Women President. Manifesto document include a strong gender The adviser together with PES Women President and dimension.

Activity Report October 2012 – February 2014 Activity Report October 2012 – February 2014

MEETINGS Leipzig Executive Meeting and PES Women 20th Anniversary Celebrations Dublin Statutory Meeting 25 MaY 2013 - Leipzig and Seminar on Women’s Image n the eve of the ceremony of the 150th fought tirelessly for a European Youth Guarantee, 22/23 March 2013 - Dublin O Anniversary of the Social Democratic Party gender quotas on company boards and equal of Germany (SPD), PES Women celebrated (22 sexual and reproductive rights for all women in May) its two decades of progress towards Europe. n March 2013, PES Women hosted its first and address the problem at political level, using gender equality and women’s empowerment. Nowadays, concerning the Gender Pay Gap, it I statutory meeting in Dublin in parallel of the as a model the very good campaign of our The 20th Anniversary Reception took place in definitely is about time: on its 20th birthday, PES Irish Presidency. This was also the occasion to Austrian sisters. The aim of the seminar was to Leipzig, commemorating the foundation of the Women calls for a 2 percent reduction per year of hold a joint event with the women organization denounce the objectification and sexulisation PES Women’s Standing Committee in May 1993 the Gender Pay Gap and demands the creation of the Labour Party. Together with the Irish of women as roots restricting women’s and honouring the remarkable work of past of a European Commissioner for Gender Equality colleagues from the European Parliament, PES chances of empowerment and to define what PES Women Presidents Karin Junker and Fiorella and Women’s Rights with the political will to Women reiterated the importance of keeping empowerment for women means. Ghilardotti. ensure the implementation of this and other gender equality at the forefront of our political Together with progressive politicians, trade For Zita Gurmai, PES Women President, this progressive legislation. priorities, despite the crisis. unions, civil society organizations, writers, anniversary was a poignant reminder of our The event was co-hosted by Elke Ferner, Vice- The seminar focused on the issue of women’s media representatives, PES Women created a achievements to date and challenges ahead. For Chair of the SPD Group in the Bundestag, empowerment through combating women’s debate around the consequences of today’s over two decades, PES Women has done justice and chairperson of the “Association of Social objectification, as objectification is the problem objectification of women, the solutions and the to its motto “The same rights, the same fights”. Democratic Women” (ASF) - the women’s of every woman regardless of her age, socio- tools and means for women to really empower In the last years the PES Women members have organization of the SPD. economic or ethnic background. PES Women themselves. thus took the opportunity to raise awareness

Activity Report October 2012 – February 2014 Activity Report October 2012 – February 2014

PES Women Statutory meeting and PES Women Annual Statutory Meeting and International Conference Conference “Women Up! Against the Crisis!” “The Threshold of the Desert”

21 June 2013 - Sofia 2 october 2013 - Brussels

ES Women members started their activities gender pay gap across Europe, it is essential to n 2 October 2013, the third PES Women star, Najat Aziz presented the project and the P in Sofia with the PES Women Statutory acknowledge and put forward the consequences O Statutory meeting of the year took challenges towards women’s empowerment in Meeting discussing the final text of the of the crisis such as women’s wages that have place, where the issue of “quota for women on the rural areas of Morocco. Fundamental Programme, the launch of the PES/ been systematically undermined by conservative boards”, “elimination of prostitution” and the More generally, the screening of this documentary PES Women “Equal Pay Campaign” as well as the policies, austerity measures that reduce drastically single-common candidate where discussed. PES was the starting point for a broader discussion on upcoming European electoral campaign and the public services (childcare, social services, health Women members also welcomed Najat Aziz, the women’s empowerment in the MENA region, the impact in the different member states. care, …) and budget cuts which hit programmes Moroccan protagonist from the documentary leading role of women in the post-Revolution The PES Women Annual Conference entitled and funds that either employ or empower “Threshold of the Desert’”. context and of democratization processes, of “Women up! Against the Crisis” took place women. The Statutory meeting was followed by an forming of governments, political parties, trade- on the 21 June in Sofia. The Conference was The Annual Conference, which took place the day international conference including the screening unions and civil organisations. the occasion to launch the new PES Women before the PES Council, hosted two roundtables: of a documentary and a high-level debate. Zita Members of the European Parliament, but Campaign on closing the Gender Pay Gap: “Equal “Why a ‘silent crisis’ for women?” and “How Gurmai, PES Women President and Member of also speakers from UN Women, the OECD, the Pay, it’s about time!” as well as to debate with women rise up against the crisis?”. The debate the European Parliament (S&D, HU), and Corina European Economic and Social Council and the high-level European speakers the consequences focused on the importance of increasing the Cretu, Romanian MEP and Vice-President of the Anna Lindh Foundation discussed the issues and solutions to the devastating effect of the presence of women in economic and political S&D Group, co-hosted the Brussels première of raised by the film and answered questions from crisis on women. decision-making in order to overcome the crisis. the documentary “The Threshold of the Desert” the audience. As PES Women has been underlining the effect in the European Parliament. A more detailed report can be found online of the crisis on women and the increasing Vision Films director, Ramon Vila, and the main http://the-threshold-of-the-desert.org.

Activity Report October 2012 – February 2014 Activity Report October 2012 – February 2014

Campaigns “One Billion Rising” Flash Mob 2013 International Day for the Elimination 14 February 2013 - Brussels of Violence Against Women ES Women President Zita Gurmai participated top of the EU agenda. 25 November 2012 P in February in the Brussels “One Billion PES Women called on Viviane Reding, European Rising’” action to say no to violence against Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights women. The event was one out of 200 country- and Citizenship, to take stock of this massive or International Day for the Elimination against Women and Domestic Violence, which based events which mobilized citizens from all mobilization and to present concrete proposals F of Violence Against Women (VAW ) on is the first legally binding instrument in Europe over the world. In Brussels, PES Women President to tackle this issue such as a clear commitment 25 November 2013, PES Women reiterated its creating a comprehensive legal framework to was joined by hundreds of women and men from the EU to fight violence against women demands: protect women against all forms of violence. calling for concrete measures to address gender and to raise awareness to the huge problem it This would send a strong and exemplar sign violence in the EU. represents. In this sense, PES Women supports 1] The European Commission to deliver this for all Member States. It has been very positive contribution in the the European Women’s Lobby demand the comprehensive European strategy on the rally around the common cause of combating creation of a European Year Against Violence elimination of violence against women. 4] Securing all the European budgets and funds violence against women. In solidarity, with campaign. This event proved that it is possible on Violence Against Women, including in in the women of different organizations and women to use our bodies to dance and to express our 2] A European Year dedicated to combat 2014-2020 budget (the Multiannual Financial from the civil society that showed how important freedom and to never tolerate violence. Violence Against Women. This would allow Framework) and the DAPHNE Programme. it is to put the fight against gender violence at the raising awareness on the issue of Violence Against Women at EU level, giving visibility to As part of this action, PES Women joined the the NGOs and organisations working on it and European Women’s Lobby “Make My Year!” also making women victims’ voices heard. post-card action, sending a strong demand to Commissioner President Barroso and sharing it 3] The European Union to sign the Council of on our social media. Europe Convention on Combating Violence

Activity Report October 2012 – February 2014 Activity Report October 2012 – February 2014

Launch of PES Women demonstrate in support “Equal Pay, it’s about time!” Campaign of Spanish women sexual and reproductive rights

21 June 2013 - Sofia 29 January 2014 - Brussels

ES Women launched the campaign “Equal per Member State for all age groups monitored n the 29th January, PES Women President Under the motto of PES Women’s 2010 campaign P Pay, it’s about time” in Sofia as the main PES by audits at European level. O Zita Gurmai together with her colleagues “My body, My rights’” PES Women President Women Campaign for the European Elections from the European Parliament, PES Activists and wanted to underline that sexual and reproductive to highlight the consequences of the economic n Clear and dissuasive sanctions in the European Young European Socialists along with women rights should be accessible, affordable and a free crisis on women and put forward concrete legislation in case of non-fulfilment of the and men from civil society gathered in front of choice to all women across Europe. demands and proposals. objectives. the Spanish Embassy in Brussels in support of Spanish Women’s free choice and right to sexual “Equal Pay, it’s about Time!” n A European Commissioner for Gender Equality and reproductive rights. and Women’s Rights to be fully engaged on this The campaign raises awareness about the 16,2% issue as of 2014. gender pay gap that exists at European level and puts forward specific demands to close this At the launch, the campaign video was publicly gap, in advance of the 2014 European Elections. screened for the first time. PES Women also shared In this context, PES Women calls for: its plans to develop a website that will gather activists, individual stories and international n A common target to be established in order to events and distributed post-cards. reduce the Gender Pay Gap by 2% per year and

Activity Report October 2012 – February 2014 Activity Report October 2012 – February 2014

International Meeting role models across the Atlantic; inspiring and engaging! Inauguration Barack Obama 03/04 March 2013 - Washington

nvited as special guest to the 33rd Annual Zita Gurmai also tackled global women’s issues 21 January 2013 - Washington I Parties of Your Choice Gala organised by during her meetings with Lakshmi Puri, the the Women’s Campaign Fund in March, the PES Acting Head of UN Women and Zainab Hawa Women President travelled to the US. This cross- Bangura, the UN Special Representative on Sexual id-January, PES Women President Zita commitment to gender issues and women’s party initiative has been created to support Violence in Conflict. M Gurmai attended the Inauguration of empowerment. It was an election won by women to run for office, an approach that is Barack Obama in Washington. Zita Gurmai is women, for women. “Now, we have to ensure needed for European Women for the 2014 thankful for his deep commitment to social values that President Obama is given all the necessary European Elections. and fundamental rights during his first mandate, political backing to push forward his programme but she remarked that more has to be done in in support of gender equality, better public order to improve the status of gender equality in services and the woman’s right to decide over her the country. own body. It is time to turn victory into action. According to PES Women President Obama’s It is time to put women’s rights at the top of the victory was, to a great extent, thanks to his deep agenda”.

Activity Report October 2012 – February 2014 Activity Report October 2012 – February 2014

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM

26/30 March 2013 - Tunis

he PES, together with the S&D Group in the same progressive rights. The debates T the European Parliament and the Global have demonstrated that only unity amongst Progressive Forum actively participated in the progressive voices will guarantee a place for 2013 World Social Forum in Tunis. women’s rights. PES Women President Zita Gurmai, on behalf of PUBLICATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA : the PES Delegation, met strong and engaged sisters from the MENA region and took part in FIND PES WOMEN ON LINE! the series of workshops and debates on gender equality issues and women’s empowerment organized by the Global Progressive Forum. As a result, Progressive women from the region have connected and are building the Women’s Arab Social Democratic Forum (ASDF Always connected and sharing Women). Together we will keep fighting for information, opinions any views, PES Women is on Facebook and Twitter to share more on gender!

Activity Report October 2012 – February 2014 ANNEX

Composition PES Women Bureau:

President n Zita Gurmai - MSZP (Hungary)

Vice-Presidents n Anna Karamanou - PASOK (Greece) n Marja Bijl - PvdA (The Netherlands) n Tuula Peltonen - SDP (Finland) n Rovana Plumb - PSD (Romania)

Bureau n Olga Zrihen - PS (Belgium) n Iratxe Garcίa Peréz - PSOE (Spain) n Britta Thomsen - SD (Denmark) n Karin Junker - SPD (Germany) n Marianne Mikko - SDE (Estonia) n Mojca Kleva - SD (Slovenia) n Marysia Lubcheva - BSP (Bulgaria) n Roulla Mavrnikola - EDEK (Cyprus) n Edite Estrela - PS (Portugal) n Andrea Mautz - SPÖ (Austria) n Mercedes Bresso - Vice-President Committee of the Regions (Ex-Officio) n Kaisa Penny - President YES (Ex-Officio) n Ouafa Hajji - President Socialist International Women (Ex-Officio) Design: p-l-a-s-m-a.net Party of European Socialists

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