This initiative by WILPF is a declaration by the WILPF European women, demanding that the EU prioritize women’s rights and freedom. The declaration includes all the projects that European governments and the EU institutions need to still help resolve.
Read or download the initiative below, or read the original here.
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Declaration of WILPF European women who met in Rome on the 60th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome
Europe is on a crossroad in 2017 – cooperation and benefits are at stake. 60 years after the Treaty of Rome, the EU has lost credit for women believing in peace and justice, welfare and safety, participation, and inclusion.
Our feminist vision has always been and is inclusive, equal, democratic, just, sustainable and peaceful. This is a commitment to pluralism, diversity and the guarantee of rights. This is the link from WILPF’s past to the future.
Of course, we were not naive and thought that the EU would bring about big progress for women’s rights and freedoms.
We Believed and Still Believe
Challenges that Urge Women in 2017 to Stand Up for a Peaceful and Just Future
The EU is at the core of an economic model, which has widened inequalities and injustice all over the world. The gap between rich and poor is growing globally and within our societies. The dominance of corporate interests, austerity measures, unjust tax systems, lack of and dismantling of social and health services – including reproductive rights – are threatening the basis of our commons, women’s rights, participation and independent living.
The EU is turning into a space for exclusion where governments build new walls, organise “efficient” pushbacks for refugees, make deals with undemocratic leaders to create new “secure” countries of origin and continue to militarise the fortress Europe. These policies are often in contradiction to international law and human rights obligations.
The EU is full of fear pushed by “populist/nationalist” politicians and right wing media. They confront women – not only with old forms of patriarchy – but allow new forms of discrimination, “othering”, “anti-gendering”, open racism and hate. Many people are looking for authoritarian leaders who sell “easy” solutions to complex problems.
The level of consumption and production in the EU and Europe accelerates climate change and is the source of conflict, hunger, and forced migration.
The EU is faced with an on-going militarisation through the implementation of the new EU “Global Strategy”, the outsourcing of the security business and border management to NATO. The increase of military budgets in the member states, the equipment with new generations of weapons and a nuclear revival where the logic of deterrence is extremely dangerous.
WILPF Women Work for Changes
WILPF is the oldest women’s peace organisation. In the spirit of our foremothers and aware of actual dangerous developments, we are convinced that it is urgent to advocate for another Europe, peaceful and just. We met in Rome to reaffirm our role of agents of change. We affirm our courage to express complex answers to complex and globalised issues. We are working cross-border with our Sections in Europe and neighbouring regions, in multiple networks and a global responsibility. We continue to address root causes of war and violence with a gender lens and mobilise for non-violent action.
We Appeal to Our Governments and to the EU Institutions
WILPF women meeting in Rome 24 – 26 March 2017,
Representatives from Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, Serbia, UK, Scotland and Poland.