 Since its inception in 1952, the European Parliament had only 31 women members until the first elections in 1979. Among them were notable figures like Maria Probst and Diane Elles, who later became presidents of the European Union of Women (EUW). In 1979, women made up 15.9% of the Parliament, and as of February 2024, this has risen to 39.8%.
We as EUW are proud see strong women leaders like Gisela Grabow in Germany and Sarka Slaviková Klimová in the Czech Republic in running in the upcoming elections. We also support Rozália Biro, President of the EPP Women, in her candidacy for the mayoralty in her home town Oradea in Romania. Our best wishes go to these women and all others who are dedicated to making a difference in politics today. But sending good wishes is not enough. Women have the opportunity to achieve equal representation in the next European Parliament. We must vote and encourage others to do the same. Participation in the democratic process is a core value of the European Union of Women. While some of us are affected by Brexit and cannot vote, we urge everyone to make a special effort in the upcoming elections. Encourage everyone—women, men, and especially the young voters who are eligible to vote for the first time in countries like Germany, Austria, Belgium, Malta, and Greece. Democracy thrives when we all participate. Thank you for your efforts. Photo credits: European Parliament
0 Comments
Today, the EU commemorates 20 years since the last large round of enlargement when ten countries – Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia – joined the bloc. EUW is proud to have women in most of these countries as members.  2004 to 2024 and beyond! 10 new Member States + 20 years of transformation = 1 stronger Union On the 1 May we mark the 20th anniversary of the EU's biggest enlargement. Since 2004 Europe has changed every Member State, and every Member State has equally changed Europe. Here's to many more years, because we're stronger together! OVERVIEWOn 1 May 2024, the European Union celebrates the 20th anniversary of its largest enlargement, often referred to as the "Big Bang" enlargement[5]. This historic event occurred on 1 May 2004, when ten countries joined the EU simultaneously: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia[3][6].
This enlargement was significant for several reasons:
The benefits of this enlargement have been substantial:
To commemorate this anniversary, various EU institutions are organizing celebrations. The European Parliament held a formal sitting with current and former EU leaders, including a Q&A session with young people born around the time of the 2004 enlargement[3]. The European Commission and other EU buildings are being illuminated with the message "20 Years Together" in blue and yellow[5]. This anniversary serves as a reminder of the EU's commitment to integration and the positive impact of enlargement on both new and existing member states[1][8]. Citations: [1] https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/news/20-years-together-eu-celebrates-2004-enlargement-2024-04-30_en [2] https://www.intereconomics.eu/contents/year/2024/number/4/article/twenty-years-after-the-big-enlargement-integration-within-the-single-market.html [3] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240419IPR20538/parliament-celebrates-the-20th-anniversary-of-the-eu-s-biggest-enlargement [4] https://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/european-issues/747-twenty-years-after-the-largest-ever-enlargement [5] https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/05/01/eu-celebrates-largest-ever-enlargement-anniversary-with-colourful-display [6] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/2004-enlargement-facts-and-figures/ [7] https://learning-corner.learning.europa.eu/news-and-competitions/20th-anniversary-eu-enlargement-2024-05-01_en [8] https://commission.europa.eu/20-years-together_en [9] https://www.ceps.eu/ceps-events/celebrating-the-20th-anniversary-of-the-eus-big-bang-enlargement-identifying-lessons-for-the-future/ [10] https://www.perplexity.ai/elections/2024-11-05/us/president  75 years ago today, the NATO alliance was born, forging bonds of security and cooperation across Europe and beyond. As we commemorate this milestone, let's recognize the vital role NATO plays in promoting peace and stability in our world. Here's to 75 years of collective defense and solidarity, and to many more to come! #NATO #anniversary #75yearsagotoday Brief History of NATOThe North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established on April 4, 1949, in the aftermath of World War II. Initially formed by 12 founding members, including the United States, Canada, and several Western European nations, NATO's primary purpose was to create a collective defense alliance against potential Soviet aggression. NATO's formation was preceded by the 1948 Treaty of Brussels, which united five Western European countries in a defensive pact. Recognizing the need for a stronger alliance, the United States and Canada joined these European allies to form NATO. Key DevelopmentsCold War Era: NATO's military structure was solidified in 1951 with the establishment of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE)[1][6]. The alliance expanded over time, with Greece and Turkey joining in 1952, and West Germany in 1955[1][4]. Post-Cold War: After the fall of the Soviet Union, NATO adapted its role, focusing on peacekeeping and crisis management[3]. The alliance expanded eastward, admitting former Warsaw Pact countries and Soviet republics[4]. 21st Century: NATO invoked Article 5, its collective defense clause, for the first time after the September 11, 2001 attacks[4]. The alliance has since been involved in operations in Afghanistan, the Balkans, and other regions[3]. ExpansionNATO has grown from its original 12 members to 32 as of 2024, with recent additions including: - Montenegro (2017) - North Macedonia (2020) - Finland (2023) - Sweden (2024)[1][4] Throughout its history, NATO has remained committed to collective defense, deterrence, and the promotion of democratic values among its member states[3][4]. NATO CITATIONS[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_NATO
[2] https://www.britannica.com/summary/North-Atlantic-Treaty-Organization [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO [4] https://www.britannica.com/topic/North-Atlantic-Treaty-Organization [5] https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/nato [6] https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/declassified_139339.htm #iwd2024 Europe has delivered for gender equality. For pay transparency, more women on boards and freedom from violence. But the path to full equality is still long. It requires attention and commitment every day. And from every one of us International Women's Day (IWD), celebrated annually on **March 8**, is a significant global event dedicated to recognizing the achievements of women across various fields while also advocating for gender equality. The roots of IWD trace back to the early 20th century, emerging from the labor movement and the fight for women's rights, particularly suffrage. Historical BackgroundThe first observance of what would become International Women's Day occurred in **1911**, following a proposal by **Clara Zetkin** at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. This event was attended by over 100 women from 17 countries, who unanimously agreed to establish a day to advocate for women's rights and suffrage[1][4]. The initial celebrations took place in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, where more than one million people participated in rallies advocating for women's rights to work, vote, and hold public office[9]. The significance of March 8 was further solidified during the **Russian Revolution** in 1917 when women in Petrograd staged a strike demanding "bread and peace," which eventually contributed to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II[4][7]. The day was officially recognized by the **United Nations** in 1975, marking it as a day of global celebration and action for women's rights[2][10]. Purpose and ImportanceInternational Women's Day serves multiple purposes: - **Celebration of Achievements**: It highlights the social, economic, cultural, and political accomplishments of women globally. - **Call to Action**: The day emphasizes the need for continued advocacy towards achieving gender parity. Despite progress, significant disparities remain; for instance, as of recent reports, women still face legal restrictions that limit their job choices and representation in politics[2][11]. - **Reflection and Advocacy**: IWD is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made while recognizing ongoing challenges. It encourages collective action to address issues such as gender-based violence and workplace discrimination[3][6]. Themes and ActivitiesEach year, International Women's Day adopts a theme that guides its celebrations and discussions. Activities typically include rallies, performances, discussions, and campaigns aimed at raising awareness about women's rights issues. The themes often focus on empowerment, inclusivity, and breaking down barriers that hinder women's progress in various spheres of life[5][8]. In summary, International Women's Day is not just a celebration but also a vital reminder of the work that remains to be done in achieving equality for women around the world. It unites voices across borders to advocate for change and honor the contributions of women throughout history. Citations: [1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-64723201 [2] https://www.onedrop.org/en/news/what-is-international-womens-day-and-why-it-is-important/ [3] https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2017/03/09/reflecting-on-international-womens-day/ [4] https://www.britannica.com/topic/International-Womens-Day [5] https://www.internationalwomensday.com/values [6] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-story-why-am-i-excited-international-womens-day-carletta-ooton [7] https://www.marx-memorial-library.org.uk/project/centenary-russian-revolution/origins-international-womens-day [8] https://business.leeds.ac.uk/faculty/news/article/1149/what-does-international-women-s-day-mean-to-you [9] https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Activity/15586/The-history-of-IWD [10] https://togetherband.org/blogs/news/why-we-need-international-women-s-day [11] https://www.internationalwomensday.com/About |
EUWEuropean Union of Women stimulating international debate across 16 countries QUICK LinksArchives
June 2024
Categories
All
RSS FEED
|
EUW
COPYRIGHT 2024 | EUW | EUROPEAN UNION OF WOMEN
© Copyright 2024 | European Union of Women | EUW
Website managed and designed by Zach Mendelsohn at SEOLIT London
