Progressive Victory for Women's Rights in the European Parliament despite Conservative Opposition

A significant step was taken to reinforce equality between men and women by the European Parliament, last week. The Parliament adopted a report of Belgian Socialist MEP Marc Tarabella

which outlined a wide range of proposals.

According to PES Women President Zita Gurmai, “the scope of this report indicates strongly that the European Union is committed to the fight against gender-based discrimination”.

The report prepared by Marc Tarabella comes at a time when women across the EU are facing greater threats to employment and living conditions. The consequences of the economic crisis are having a massive effect in female dominated sectors, such as health, education and child care.

In addition the report carries a strong individual rights dimension. Mr. Tarabella stated that; “My report is comprehensive and balanced, but the Conservatives have missed the point of debate by questioning the right to abortion in the EU.” He continued, stating that; “despite this opposition, we managed to reaffirm the right of women to control their bodies. It is a fundamental right for which thousands of women had fought and are still fighting in Europe - often risking their own lives. I will never accept this right to be called into question.”

The report also called on the European Commission to establish a European Year for combating violence against women and children and a European charter of women’s rights to be established.

“The report has a highly progressive approach as it emphasizes that women must have control over their sexual and reproductive rights, notably through easy access to contraception and abortion”, said Zita Gurmai. However she regrets that the passages concerning the European Charter on Women's Rights and the legally binding 'female quotas' did not obtain the required majority of the deputies.