The Greens\/EFA group is the only group of MEPs to have a majority of women members, and a requirement for gender balance in all its senior positions. Jean has worked with EU-level NGOs, including Plan International, to ensure the EU celebrates International Year of the Girl, and has taken part in a number of events to mark International Women’s Day.<\/p>\n
As a Green Member of The European Parliament Jean works to ensure that both genders have equal opportunities in all aspects of society.<\/p>\n
Why is equal representation of women so important?
\nFirstly, I see it as an issue of the legitimacy of the institutions we have. People should see themselves represented in those institutions in order to feel some sense of connection with them and to have trust in them. Secondly, it demonstrates the openness of those institutions to a range of people, so that they do not seem to be blocks that exclude us. Thirdly, the fair representation of women also widens the base of experience on which those institutions can draw when they make decisions affecting our lives.
\nJean Lambert MEP<\/p><\/blockquote>\nViolence against women<\/h2>\n
Jean is a passionate voice on the scandalous continuation of violence against women, speaking at and attending many high profile events that raise awareness about the subject. She has heard from victims of attempted rape and has taken up the need to address the way that we treat the victims of these crimes. It is hoped that legislation will be amended to support basic standards for victims of crime against women.<\/p>\n
Jean recently hosted an event at the European Parliament with two Islington-based community organisations and their Hungarian partner to discuss the need for greater investment in women’s services to combat domestic violence and what is being done to tackle the problem at a European level.<\/p>\n
On the issue of violence against women, Jean was also the key speaker at the launch of a new training DVD, For Honour and Love, produced by the Kurdish and Middle Eastern Women’s Organisation, which explores issues surrounding so-called ‘honour-based’ violence.<\/p>\n
Jean took part in the One Billion Rising campaign against gender-based violence in 2013 and 2014. Here she explains why:<\/p>\n