What is the role of the European Women’s Lobby in promoting gender equality at European level and which activities do you consider most impactful today?
The European Women’s Lobby (EWL) is a non-governmental membership-based organisation with members across the European Union (EU), such as II Coordinamento Italiano della Lobby Europea delle Donne/LEF Italia, that play a pivotal role for the full achievement of women’s rights in Europe. Since its creation in 1990, the EWL’s role is to bring women’s real-life experiences to policy and decision-makers to proactively shape the political agenda, as
decisions taken at European level impact on women and everybody’s life. As women’s rights are facing a backlash everywhere, we are standing together in solidarity, through activities that unite, such as campaigns, participatory events and mobilisation, both in the virtual and real world. The diversity of women’s voices and agency is a key driving force in its role. The EWL envisions a feminist Europe that leaves no one behind.
The Parity Now! campaign calls for equal representation in decision-making. How important is this initiative for the future of European democracy?
It is vital. Without real and effective equal representation (parity) democracy itself is at stake. Parity democracy is more crucial than ever today in a world in turmoil. Women from diverse backgrounds and vulnerable groups, and men must be sitting around the table together to steer forward looking strategies and commitments in all areas of life: from political, business, academia, sports, peace building, etc. There needs to be more women in these driving seats too! We need to provoke change as it will not happen by itself. We cannot afford to wait another 60 years to achieve gender equality, which would be the case if the situation evolves at the current pace or even longer now due to the backlash. It needs to happen now. We all have a role to play in achieving this.
What role can Chambers of Commerce and business support organisations play in translating EU gender equality policies into concrete opportunities for women entrepreneurs at local level?
It is very important that Chambers of Commerce and business firmly commit to achieving equality for women entrepreneurs. They need to state this and be loud and clear by developing strategies, action plans with an intersectional lens and involving women entrepreneurs themselves as they know best what they need. The EWL carried out a mapping of women’s social entrepreneurship in the EU some years ago and the issues that emerged then remain relevant today; in particular, access to finance especially sustainable funding, and support networks. In addition, EU gender equality policies such as the Work-Life-Balance Directive should also be available for women entrepreneurs, as due to gender entrenched stereotypes, women everywhere continue to be the main care givers and often to the detriment of their own careers. Access to paid maternity leave, paid parental leave, equal pay (recognition of work of equal value in the Pay Transparency Directive) and pensions is crucial for women entrepreneurs. The right to live and work in a violence-free environment is of absolute importance, particularly online cyber violence, a form of violence against women that is increasing dramatically, and is exacerbated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). This impacts women’s effective participation in all areas of life, including entrepreneurship and innovation and represents a massive loss for the whole of society. Therefore, Chambers of Commerce and business support organisations must put these issues at the core of their strategies to concretely support and put women entrepreneurs at the centre of their commitment to achieving gender equality.
How can initiatives like Parity Now! also create tangible benefits for women entrepreneurs and business leaders beyond institutional decision-making roles?
Gender equality is a societal issue. It is often seen as a women’s issue only but achieving a gender equal society will benefit everyone. Businesses play an important role as investors that decide the type of investments that shape our world. In the face of many challenges, such as climate change, ensuring that women are part of decision-making on the type of investments that address, sustain, shape and advance forward-looking policies is crucial for democracy in which parity democracy is at the core. It is up to us to challenge and reshape societal construction of gender norms and to deconstruct invisible barriers that limit opportunities, perpetuate discrimination, and prevent everyone from benefiting equal rights.
How can cooperation between EU institutions, civil society and economic actors such as Chambers of Commerce be strengthened to advance women’s economic empowerment?
Everybody has a role to play. Cooperation, working together and involving women is of key importance. To strengthen this, resources need to be made available to develop joint projects as achieving gender equality requires a holistic approach in which different actors can bring different perspectives. Dialogue is crucial to counteract disinformation and enable a narrative that not only challenges far right discourses but actually provides real solutions in a complex environment.
Considering the current economic uncertainty and global instability, what do you see as the main challenges that women entrepreneurs face today?
As already mentioned, major barriers for women entrepreneurs for a long time has been to access to finance and coupled with deep seated gender stereotypes, they face life-long inequalities from unequal pay, low pensions, undervalued for their care responsibilities, exposure to and real threats of male violence both online and in the real world. There is a real risk all of this will be exacerbated as political priorities shift towards defense and so-called security. This carries an additional risk that gender equality will fall off the political agenda. Yet, we cannot move forward without parity democracy. This is the solution, not just the icing on the cake. Also, sustained and adequate funding for women’s rights organisations is essential, as they are key to advancing equality and ensuring accountability. We need to stand together, rise together and be loud and united.