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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
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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:
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to define
domestic violence throughout Europe as a criminal act;
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to undertake
initiatives to raise awareness that violence against women
damages peace, democracy and economic development in society;
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to introduce a
policy of zero tolerance against this crime;
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to implement
national and local plans to combat domestic violence, including
appropriate training of police, magistrates, doctors, teachers
and other professionals involved.;
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to provide
safe houses, appropriate medical and psychological services and
financial support for victims;
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to introduce
mediation services with rehabilitation therapy for habitual
offenders.
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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.
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