In the run-up to the UK referendum on EU membership on 23rd June, Jean Lambert MEP has produced this leaflet about why the European Union is good for women.

There is a great body of EU legal protection which benefits women every day.

EU law makes sure all women are entitled to paid maternity leave and guarantees women cannot be dismissed or their role be reduced whilst on maternity leave.

EU rules ensure part-time workers have the same conditions as those of full-time workers, and give rights to temporary agency workers.

There is important laws to prevent harassment, discrimination, trafficking and domestic violence at EU level. European laws also safeguard many other things important to women.

Leave campaigners will argue that we would keep these rules after a Brexit. But there are no guarantees future UK governments won’t cut regulations they deem ‘red-tape’ for competitiveness-at-all-costs outside the EU.

“Women are better protected thanks to the European Union. By working together across Europe we can end gender inequality once and for all and make sure women and future generations, and the environment we all depend on, are safeguarded,” says Jean.

Why Europe is Important for Women can be downloaded here.

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In the run-up to the UK referendum on EU membership on 23rd June, Jean Lambert MEP has produced this leaflet about why the European Union is good for women.

There is a great body of EU legal protection which benefits women every day.

EU law makes sure all women are entitled to paid maternity leave and guarantees women cannot be dismissed or their role be reduced whilst on maternity leave.

EU rules ensure part-time workers have the same conditions as those of full-time workers, and give rights to temporary agency workers.

There is important laws to prevent harassment, discrimination, trafficking and domestic violence at EU level. European laws also safeguard many other things important to women.

Leave campaigners will argue that we would keep these rules after a Brexit. But there are no guarantees future UK governments won’t cut regulations they deem ‘red-tape’ for competitiveness-at-all-costs outside the EU.

“Women are better protected thanks to the European Union. By working together across Europe we can end gender inequality once and for all and make sure women and future generations, and the environment we all depend on, are safeguarded,” says Jean.

Why Europe is Important for Women can be downloaded here.

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She said: “In the 90 years since women won the right to vote in the UK, only 22.5% of MPs are women, according to a new report published by the ‘Counting Women In’ coalition. Less than 18% of UK Cabinet members are women.
“Indeed it has been estimated that a girl born today will be drawing her pension before women have achieved equal representation in the UK.

“The European Parliament – a much more gender neutral establishment – is better: just over one in three MEPs are female, an ever-increasing proportion.

“But equal representation is just one aspect of the discrimination women across the world face daily: women are more likely to be unemployed than men, those with jobs are likely to be paid less, one in four women will be raped or sexually assaulted at some point in their lives.”

“All of this is a fundamental breach of women’s human right not to be discriminated against – and it can, and must, be tackled if there’s only the political will to make it a priority.”

To mark International Women’s Day Ms Lambert will be attending the Refugee and Migrant Woman of the Year Awards 2013 and, tomorrow, the Waltham Forest Women’s Network celebratory event at Walthamstow Academy.

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The report, which was voted on in Strasbourg on October 20, also called for stronger anti-discrimination rules, and greater provision for working mothers who are breastfeeding.

Jean, who is a member of the Employment and Social Affairs committee, said:

“Today’s vote represents real progress towards dismantling the continuing barriers that exist to potential and existing working mothers.

“The current system in the UK forces many women back to work after just six weeks, before they are emotionally and physically ready, because they are unable to survive on the statutory pay of just £125 – a sum below the poverty line. An increase to 20 weeks at full pay would mean all women, not just those who can afford it, could reconcile having children and working.

“Furthermore, the report importantly makes provision for greater paternity leave in some countries. Studies show fathers who spend more time with their children immediately after the birth take a greater role in sharing the childrearing duties – again giving women more time to work and raising the female labour participation

“This report is not perfect, there is the question of a ceiling on maternity pay, but it is a huge step in the right direction and sends a strong message to Council. Ultimately, if you are lucky enough to find a job in this climate you should not lose it because you have had a child.”

Notes to Editors

[1] This was the first reading of the report ‘on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding’, and it will form the basis of negotiations with council.

The report was produced for the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality by rapporteur Edite Estrela.

To read the draft report in full visit: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&reference=A7-2010-0032&language=EN&mode=XML

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Having been London’s Green MEP since 1999, Jean is one of London’s leading women.  Addressing the conference Jean will encouraging more women to stand up and take action in the battle against climate change.

Speaking before the conference Jean commented; “London faces many environmental threats including air pollution, traffic congestion and food quality. Climate change however is the most dominant that we must address immediately. We need to ‘climate proof’ our policy and make sure we have a coherent approach.

“There are many things that we can do to improve the situation and women everywhere will be instrumental in changes in the home, workplace and throughout society. There has however been a historical problem that women are not involved in the construction industry.  With an increasing focus on sustainable devleopmet and the Olympics and Thames Gateway Developments looming we have the perfect opportunity for women to literally build our future.”

The Capital Woman conference takes place on March 3rd 2007 from 11am – 5.30pm at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre and Central Hall Westminster.

ENDS

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Women who participated in the Elevate – Management & leadership training for women programme –celebrated today the achievements of this 2-year project at the project’s final event at City Guildhall in London. They were joined by numerous guests including Jean Lambert, the London’s Green Member of the European Parliament (MEP).

Jean said:
“Elevate has provided an extremely valuable and positive project in really aiming to meet the needs of women in management. This has fulfilled a need in society and also looked at innovative practice including the environmental dimension, which in my view is essential to any well run organisation.  The results and success of the project speaks volumes about women’s ability to lead in the work place. ”

Over the past 2 years, Elevate helped over 220 women from across London through training in management and leadership with the ultimate aim of promoting gender equality in the workplace. This led to the achievement of 100 units towards National Vocational qualifications units at Level 3 or 4. Support available also included one-to-one or group coaching. The initiative was particularly successful in reaching out to women from ethnic minorities (69% of participants) and those working for the community and voluntary sector. Additionally, it also included 4 networking events on sustainable development which helped to raise awareness of green issues.

Feedback from participants and findings from the external evaluation have highlighted the project’s success in meeting and exceeding the expectations of women. The large majority of participants felt that the training helped their confidence and will improve their careers prospects. The women’s only approach, the availability of individual coaching as well as childcare and travel bursaries were emphasised as particularly effective elements of Elevate in helping women to overcome barriers to progression at the workplace.

The programme funded by the European Social Fund and the London region Learning and Skills Council was delivered through a partnership between the Women’s Resource Centre (WRC), as lead partner, and AdviceUK, Aspire Training and Coaching, Social Enterprise London, The Innovatory, and Yvonne Field Associates.

ENDS

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