National Council of Women of Great Britain

        

 


European Centre of the
International Council of Women

Grace Wedekind was elected with overwhelming support as President of the European Centre of the International Council of Women at their General Assembly in Monaco in April 2007,   In congratulating her, NCW President Monica Hall said: 'Grace has served the Council with dedication, conscientiousness and sheer hard work and this appointment is a reflection of the esteem in which she is held'. 

Eleni Valassi-Adam (Greece), Doreen Micallef (Malta), Cosima Schenk (Switzerland) were elected Vice-Presidents and  Brigitte le Gouis (France) is General Secretary
_______________________________________

ECICW members from twenty countries, both within and beyond the European Union, meet twice yearly to discuss problems of common interest, and to extend contacts particularly with women from the former East European countries and Soviet Union.  It works within the agenda of ICW and UN CSW, but additionally covers topics of particular interest to the host country, with a major seminar at each meeting on the chosen priority.

The most recent meetings have been held in Monaco in April 2007,  in Strasbourg in October 2007, and in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in April 2008, hosted by NCWGB.

The ECICW meeting in Monaco April 2007  was a very enjoyable meeting, hosted by ECICW's newest member organisation. The Monaco Government provided generous sponsorship, and entertainment.

A seminar on Domestic Violence was attended by members of the Monaco Government and by a representative from the Council of Europe. A resolution was drawn up and agreed by the full ECICW Assembly. (See below)

[MORE about the April 2008 Assembly in Britain]
 

ECICW RESOLUTION ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 

A number of NCW Resolutions on violence against women were re-affirmed at the Hereford Conference in October 2006.  Following this, the European Centre of the International Council of Women, meeting in Monaco in April, ratified an important Resolution on domestic violence, which is increasing across Europe.  This was sent to the European Commission and Parliament, the Council of Europe and National Governments, urging action:

 

  • to define domestic violence throughout Europe as a criminal act;

  • to undertake initiatives to raise awareness that violence against women damages peace, democracy and economic development in society;

  • to introduce a policy of zero tolerance against this crime;

  • to implement national and local plans to combat domestic violence, including appropriate training of police, magistrates, doctors, teachers and other professionals involved.;

  • to provide safe houses, appropriate medical and psychological services and financial support for victims;

  • to introduce mediation services with rehabilitation therapy for habitual offenders.


THE EUROPEAN YEAR OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL

Grace Wedekind represents ECICW on the Board  of the European Women's Lobby. 2007 is the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All, and a new European Gender Institute has just been set up.  All member countries have been asked to remind their Governments of the significance of this year in making substantial progress towards the removal of discrimination against women. The EWL work programme also covers violence against women (including domestic violence), trafficking and forced marriage.  The work/life balance is also under scrutiny, and there is pressure for better care facilities throughout Europe, and better appreciation of the work of carers (often family members), with more co-operation from employers in work/life balance, paternity and parental leave.  Human Rights, Parity, better conditions of employment for disabled women, the damaging effects of patriarchal religions on women, migrant women workers, race relations, etc. are all on the agenda.

 

 

The European Women's Lobby met in Potsdam, Germany in May 2007 during which a major seminar on women and religion was sympathetically led by a woman theologian.
This is a subject which is exciting attention across Europe. All religions are subject to scrutiny, as they have been male-dominated since the earliest times, and most still have certain aspects which affect the human rights of women, whether Jewish, Christian, Moslem, or Hindu. Particular criticism is now being levelled at the effect of fundamentalist religions on women and girls. Aspects studied with high-level speakers were:

• Religion and Human Rights of Women

• Role of religions in European development

• Religion, Fundamentalism and Women

• Religions and stereotypes.

The European Women's lobby, together with the Council of Europe, is now calling for all religious communities to work together towards observance of human rights of women, and tolerance of other religions. Without some progress in this direction, the outlook is gloomy, with the decline of more moderate religions, and increased tension among extremists.
______________________________________

         


The National Council of Women of Great Britain.      Founded 1895  
Registered charity No. 100  1015.   Company limited by guarantee No.502692       
Administrative office:    72 Victoria Road, Darlington  DL1 5JG     Tel: 01325 367375    Fax: 01325 367378
London Policy Centre:   36 Danbury Street, Islington, London N1 8JU
email: info@ncwgb.org
 
                                                              

Hit Counter