European Women's Lobby

European Women's Lobby is a non-profit organization that advocates for women's rights and gender equality in Europe. It was founded in 1990 by a group of women's organizations, including the European Women's Network, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and the International Alliance of Women. The organization works closely with European Union institutions, such as the European Commission, European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union, to promote gender equality and women's rights. The European Women's Lobby is also a member of the Social Platform, a network of European non-governmental organizations that work together to promote social justice and human rights, including Amnesty International, Caritas Europe, and the European Disability Forum.

● History

The European Women's Lobby was established in 1990, during a time of significant social and political change in Europe, with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany. The organization's founding was influenced by the work of women's rights activists, such as Simone de Beauvoir, Betty Friedan, and Gloria Steinem, who had been advocating for women's rights and gender equality since the 1960s. The European Women's Lobby has also been shaped by international agreements, such as the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which were adopted by the United Nations in 1979 and 1995, respectively. The organization has worked with other women's rights organizations, including the European Women's Network, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and the International Alliance of Women, to promote women's rights and gender equality in Europe and beyond, including in countries such as France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The European Women's Lobby's mission is to promote women's rights and gender equality in Europe, with a focus on issues such as violence against women, gender-based discrimination, and women's economic empowerment. The organization's objectives include advocating for the implementation of European Union policies and laws that promote gender equality, such as the Treaty of Rome and the Treaty of Lisbon, and supporting the work of women's organizations and activists across Europe, including in countries such as Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria. The European Women's Lobby also works to raise awareness about women's rights and gender equality issues, through events and campaigns such as the International Women's Day and the European Women's Lobby's Annual Conference, which have been attended by prominent women's rights activists, including Angela Merkel, Michelle Bachelet, and Malala Yousafzai.

● Structure_and_Membership

The European Women's Lobby has a membership of over 2,000 organizations from across Europe, including women's organizations, trade unions, and non-governmental organizations, such as the European Trade Union Confederation, European Women's Network, and the International Alliance of Women. The organization is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from member organizations, such as the German Women's Council, the French National Council of Women, and the Italian National Council of Women. The European Women's Lobby also has a secretariat, which is based in Brussels, Belgium, and works closely with European Union institutions, such as the European Commission, European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union, as well as with other international organizations, including the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

● Policy_Areas

The European Women's Lobby works on a range of policy areas, including violence against women, gender-based discrimination, women's economic empowerment, and women's health, with a focus on issues such as reproductive rights, sex trafficking, and domestic violence. The organization also works on issues related to women's participation in politics, women's education, and women's employment, including the gender pay gap and work-life balance. The European Women's Lobby has also been involved in advocacy efforts around European Union policies and laws, such as the Treaty of Rome and the Treaty of Lisbon, and has worked with other organizations, including the European Women's Network, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and the International Alliance of Women, to promote women's rights and gender equality in Europe and beyond, including in countries such as Spain, Portugal, and Greece.

● Activities_and_Campaigns

The European Women's Lobby undertakes a range of activities and campaigns to promote women's rights and gender equality, including advocacy, research, and awareness-raising, with a focus on issues such as violence against women, gender-based discrimination, and women's economic empowerment. The organization has launched several campaigns, including the 50/50 Campaign, which aims to increase the number of women in decision-making positions, and the Women's Rights are Human Rights Campaign, which aims to raise awareness about women's rights and gender equality issues, including the International Women's Day and the European Women's Lobby's Annual Conference. The European Women's Lobby has also worked with other organizations, including the European Women's Network, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and the International Alliance of Women, to promote women's rights and gender equality in Europe and beyond, including in countries such as Ireland, Sweden, and Denmark.

● Impact_and_Influence

The European Women's Lobby has had a significant impact on promoting women's rights and gender equality in Europe, with a focus on issues such as violence against women, gender-based discrimination, and women's economic empowerment. The organization's advocacy efforts have contributed to the development of European Union policies and laws that promote gender equality, such as the Treaty of Rome and the Treaty of Lisbon. The European Women's Lobby has also worked with other organizations, including the European Women's Network, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and the International Alliance of Women, to promote women's rights and gender equality in Europe and beyond, including in countries such as Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The organization's work has been recognized by prominent women's rights activists, including Angela Merkel, Michelle Bachelet, and Malala Yousafzai, and has been supported by international organizations, including the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Category:Women's rights organizations