During its latest Executive meeting, members of PES Women adopted the updated version of the manifesto “Zero tolerance zone: a Europe free from gender-based violence (link soon available), reaffirming our strong commitment to combat all forms of gender-based violence, online and offline. As highlighted in our renewed call to action:
“The line has been crossed far too many times. Women and girls in all their diversity have the right to live free from gender-based violence and discrimination – physical, sexual or psychological, online or offline. It is a matter of human rights. Combating gender-based violence is about respecting our European values and standing up for equality.”
The context is alarming: according to a 2024 joint survey by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) and the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), one in three women in the EU has experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. One in five women face physical or sexual violence from a partner or relative, one in eight women in the EU have experienced sexual violence, including rape by someone other than their partner, and one in eight reported the incident to the police. At the same time, women are particularly targeted by new forms of digital violence such as deep fakes, revenge pornography, and cyberstalking.
PES Women’s updated manifesto sets out clear demands for a Europe free from gender-based violence, structured around three key pillars:
– a strong legal framework,
– adequate funding for prevention and support,
– cultural and institutional change.
These priorities will guide our political advocacy throughout the current EU mandate, pushing for ambitious and concrete action at all levels.
Following this, members of PES Women exchanged views on the latest EU gender equality files, shared national updates, and reviewed PES Women’s recent activities since the last meeting.
We also warmly congratulated Emmi Lintonen, our Finnish executive member, on her re-election winning the highest number of votes at both the County and City Councils in Forssa – an impressive result!
In Austria, following the SPÖ’s entry into government, Eva-Maria Holzleitner, Chair of our member organisation SPÖ Women, was appointed as Minister for Women, Science and Research – a key achievement we proudly welcomed. The Minister has committed to advancing priorities including protection against gender-based violence, women’s financial independence, and women’s health.
Participants:
- European Parliament Vice-President, S&D MEP, Executive Vice-President of PES – Katarina Barley, Germany.
- PES Women President, MSZP – Zita Gurmai, Hungary
- PES Women Vice–President, SPD – Elke Ferner, Germany
- PES Women Vice–President, SD – Katrine Skov, Denmark
- PES Women Vice-President, PS – Rosario Gambôa, Portugal
- PES Women Vice-President, SDP – Sonja Kovac, Croatia
- PES Women Executive Member, LP – Jackie Jones, UK
- PES Women Executive Member LP – Rhonda Donaghey, Ireland
- PES Women Executive Member PS – Cécilia Gondard, France
- PES Women Executive Member, SPÖ – Michaela Kauer, Austria
- PES Women Executive Member, EDEK – Roulla Mavronikola, Cyprus
- PES Women Executive Member, SD – Pille Petersoo, Estonia
- PES Women Executive Member, Vooruit – Inga Verhaert, Belgium
- PES Women Ex–Officio Executive Member, YES – Evelyn Logghe, Belgium
- PES Women Ex–Officio Executive Member, FEPS – Laeticia Thissen, Belgium
