About
This policy debate marks the final event of the EURIGHT project, which consists of a consortium of five cities and aims to raise awareness about the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (EU Charter) and engage people in the construction of a strong European Union through the knowledge of the European instruments and their connection with citizenship. The tools used to achieve these objectives are a training course on the EURIGHT platform, citizen debates organized in the cities of the project partners (Alba Iulia, Genoa, Nurnberg, Gijon and Brussels), and the dissemination of information on citizens’ fundamental rights and how they can act to protect them.
The EU Charter outlines EU citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms. Covering civil, political, economic and social rights, it includes provisions on dignity, freedom, equality, solidarity, citizens’ rights and justice. The EU Charter was first proclaimed in 2000 and became legally binding with the entry into force of the Lisbon in 2009. Its purpose is to ensure that EU institutions and member states respect these rights in all their actions.
Women’s low representation in politics and leadership positions, despite progress in recent decades; the persistent gender pay gap; the rise of anti-abortion laws and restrictions on reproductive rights; the ongoing issue of violence against women, including domestic violence, all indicate a backsliding on the gender equality front. The EU Charter includes several provisions related to gender equality and non-discrimination, including the prohibition of discrimination based on sex, the right to equal treatment and equal pay for equal work, and the right to equal opportunities and treatment in matters of employment and occupation.
The EU Charter is a 20-year-old legally binding document. How can we explain the lack of awareness of this piece of legislation and how can we increase its enforcement to protect the fundamental rights of all genders across Europe?
This event will discuss the role of the EU Charter and local, national and European actors in achieving gender equality in the EU. As in all other Friends of Europe’s events, we’ll address this topic through the lens of the Renewed Social Contract, bringing different stakeholders and perspectives to the table. Understanding a social contract as a tacit agreement amongst members of a society, all shareholders are increasingly required to give back more to the world than they take, and one way to do so is through improved governance and equality.
This event will take place in Brussels. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook, and join the #FoEDebate!
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Schedule
Questions that will guide the discussion include:
- How is the Union working to ensure EU Charter provisions related to gender equality and non-discrimination are respected and realised across all member states, and what challenges have been faced in this effort?
- How do recent developments and challenges, such as the rise of populism or the cost-of-living crisis, impact gender equality in the EU?
- What role do local governance and initiatives play in protecting gender equality and rights and as such, how do they promote the EU project?
Moderator:
Dharmendra Kanani
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Spokesperson of Friends of Europe
Speakers
Pierangelo Celle
Show more information on Pierangelo Celle
Law Professor at the University of Genoa
Laura González Méndez
Show more information on Laura González Méndez
Project Coordinator for International Affairs at the Gijón City Council
With nearly two decades of experience at the Gijón City Council, Laura González Méndez currently leads the council department that oversees the city’s international affairs and city branding. Throughout her career at the Gijón City Council, she has worked on more than 30 European projects and led various networks of political representatives. Previously, she also has worked in the fields of finance and international relations.
Dharmendra Kanani
Show more information on Dharmendra Kanani
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Spokesperson of Friends of Europe
Prior to joining Friends of Europe, Dharmendra Kanani was director of policy at the European Foundation Centre (EFC). He was the England director at the Big Lottery Fund, the largest independent funder in the UK and fourth largest in the world. Dharmendra has held senior positions in the public and voluntary sector and advisor to numerous ministerial policy initiatives across the UK.
Laura Kaun
Show more information on Laura Kaun
Policy and Campaigns Director at the European Women’s Lobby (EWL)
Laura Kaun is responsible for coordinating and providing strategic direction to EWL’s policy and campaign work. She works to ensure that EWL’s policies are sound, its advocacy sharp and its campaigns loud so that, together with its members all over Europe, EWL brings progress to women’s rights with a specific focus on combating all violence against women and girls, including cyber-violence and gender-mainstreaming of digital policies.
Silvana Koch-Mehrin
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Founder and President of Women Political Leaders (WPL)
An expert on gender equality, Silvana Koch-Mehrin founded and leads WPL, the worldwide network of women politicians. The independent, non-partisan and not-for-profit foundation aims to increase both the number and the influence of women in political leadership. A member of the European Leadership Network (ELN) and the Global Advisory Network of Apolitical Academy Global, Koch-Mehrin sits on the boards of the Council of Women World Leaders, a network of women presidents and prime ministers, and the advisory board of PINK! She is also a Senior Advisor at Binance and Venture Partner at Conny&Co. Notably, she represented the EU in the Executive Committee of W20, an official engagement group of the G20. Previously, Koch-Mehrin served as a vice-president and member of the European Parliament, prior to which she founded a public affairs consultancy.
Karen Melchior
Show more information on Karen Melchior
Member of the European Parliament Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM)
Karen Melchior is a Member of the European Parliament and sits on the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, in which she is active in forming the position of the liberal Renew Europe group. She is fighting to ensure that access to safe abortion is treated as part of healthcare and made available to all women across Europe. She is also a Member of the Parliament’s LGBTI Intergroup, which works to advance equal rights for LGBTI people across Europe.
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