By Martin Banks - 20th May 2009
It is very disappointing that political parties don't prioritize over issues of equality between women and men
Brigitte Triems
A new survey has found that most political parties do not consider equality between women and men a key priority for the upcoming European elections.
The European Women's Lobby (EWL) says this comes despite the 'strong' competence of the EU in the area of gender equality.
Its 'gender audit' looked at the presence of women on national electoral lists, including as heads of lists, for the 4-7 June EU-wide poll.
It shows that in 17 of the 27 member states, there are more women on the electoral lists than there are female MEPs who served in parliament, currently in recess until the election.
In parliament, 31 per cent of deputies are women.
However, looking at where women are placed as heads of lists, there are only seven countries where this occurs – Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Sweden and the UK.
EWL says the review of current representation of women in parliament for the four main political groups – EPP, PES, ALDE and Greens - is an indication of the commitment of these groups to the promotion of women in decision-making roles.
For the 2004-2009 legislative period, the Greens had the highest percentage of women MEPs - 47.6 per cent - followed by the Socialist Group (41.2 per cent) the the Liberals (40.4 per cent) with the EPP bringing up the rear with only 24.03 per cent of its members female.
Big differences in national delegations also exist, with 47 per cent of the Swedish delegation being women compared with none in the Maltese and Cypriot delegations.
However, women occupy 30 per cent of the list in Cyprus for next month's poll.
The results are also based on the importance the parties' manifestos give to four issues that the EWL sees as relevant for the fulfilment of equality between women and men, such as reconciliation of private and working life or violence against women.
Brigitte Triems, President of the EWL, said, "It is very disappointing that political parties don't prioritise over issues of equality between women and men, which should occupy a central place in our democracies.
"We strongly encourage women to be involved in European politics and to vote in the June elections, in order for the EU to better fulfill their expectations and to fully contribute to equality in everyday life."
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