I participated in the General Assembly of the European Women's Lobby (EWL) at the beginning of June as the MWIA representative. EWL is an umbrella organisation for most of women's organisations in Europe and as such is one of the most influential lobby organisations. The headquarters are in Brussels and the EWL has close contact with the EU. The organization is governed by a Board and an EXCO. Thanks to EU funding and the constant presence in Brussels, EWL has great opportunities to influence the EU's work on issues concerning women.
EWL’s practical work focuses on ending VAWG (Violence against Woman and Girls), promoting SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights), Feminist Economics, Gender Mainstreaming, Women in Decision-making and international projects. I was elected to the Board last year after giving a speech about the importance of health, and of course in particular, women's health. This has since been taken into the strategic framework for the years 2027 – 2031 and will even be next year’s focus area!
At meetings, there is a lot to be discussed, mixed with decisions and principled discussions. There are workshops and brain-storming sessions on how to proceed on certain issues and how to meet the problems that exist in Europe today that affect women. All meetings are in English or French with simultaneous translation. This year's June meeting (General Assembly) started with finalizing the project, Women and Climate. The results were presented in a document that is part of a process to influence decision-makers in the EU.
In addition to discussing the future framework, two "Emergency Motions" statements were adopted. One concerns intersectionality and the other the increasing anti-semitism against Jewish women in Europe after the 7th October 2023 atrocity in Israel.
In brief, the following statements from the EWL were accepted:
“Strengthening intersectionality within EWL is therefore not only an internal organizational issue, but also a political necessity to ensure that feminist advocacy remains inclusive, credible and responsive to women's realities in Europe in a rapidly changing political environment."
“[Antisemitism] often thrives on denial, particularly in contexts involving sexualised violence, where the suffering of Jewish victims is dismissed or distorted. Such denial deepens the harm and allows antisemitic narratives to persist unchallenged. It also reveals a dangerous double standard incompatible with universal human rights and feminist principles. Moreover, antisemitism seeks to intimidate, exclude and silence, especially those already vulnerable. It begins with hate speech and digital violence, spreading fear online before manifesting as physical attacks. Today, we face a situation where Jewish people, and especially Jewish women, no longer feel safe in parts of Europe. That reality should alarm every democratic citizen. A continent that fails to protect its Jewish communities fails its own democratic promise. Protecting Jewish life means defending equality, dignity and freedom for all. Standing against antisemitism is not only a moral duty; it is essential to the credibility of feminism, democracy and universal rights in Europe.”"
This is some of what the EWL is up to. As previously mentioned the big future investment is in women's health and the health gap. In a Europe where all countries seem to be preparing for war and financing of health care, and especially women's health care is downgraded, it is even more important that there are forces that stand up for peace and equality and look out for women.