CEE Task Force
The European Women´s Lobby (EWL) is the largest umbrella organisation of women´s associations in the European Union (EU), working to promote women´s rights and equality between women and men. EWL membership extends to organisations in all 28 EU member states and the three candidate countries, as well as to 20 European-wide bodies, representing a total of more than 2500 organisations.
On the 10th Anniversary of the EU-membership of the countries in East Central European, Baltic and Balkan states, there are serious concerns about the extent to which EU membership has brought benefits in terms of gender equality. Challenges in terms of gender pay gap, low women’s political participation, violence against women and limited political space for women’s organisations persist and in some cases are growing. Therefore EWL membership has identified a need to come together to discuss common strategies to address institutional, human rights and economic aspects of gender inequality in East Central European, Baltic and Balkan states. The purpose of the CEE Task Force is to:
Share information and learning amongst Members of the EWL in East Central European, Baltic and Balkan states to identify any gaps and synergies.
Strengthen joint strategies for advancing gender equality and challenging resistance.
Design and implement common projects
The CEE Task Force had its first meeting on 19-21 January 2015, to share information, develop a common analysis of the threats and opportunities for women’s rights in the region, as well as to develop common intervention strategies to address the backlash and bolster support for women’s rights.