Brussels 21 February 2019
Object: Invitation to Women’s European Council
Dear Members of National Parliaments,
Gender equality represents a core principle of the European Union, but current figures on gender gap show
limited and slow progress towards equal opportunities. The weak women’s representation in politics, the lack of
women appointed to top positions of the EU institutions, the low women’s participation in the labour market,
the persistent pay gap and the under-representation of women in company boards need to be effectively tackled
with a clear political commitment.
The European Women Alliance (EWA) believes that gender equality is a precondition for sustainable growth,
inclusive society and peace; to this purpose, EWA launched the Women’s European Council (WEUCO) in 2018,
the women’s pre-summit ahead of the European Council.
EWA, in partnership with the female Vice-Presidents and Members of the European Parliament and
the 2019 Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU is delighted to invite you to the next Women’s
European Council, taking place on 6 March 2019 at the European Parliament from 18:00 to 20:00.
Our mission is to push the European institutions to bring gender equality at the top of the EU political agenda
and to set up clear gender policy goals to achieve in the next legislative term. With a view to the forthcoming
European elections in May, EWA calls on all political and institutional actors to move forward to a fairer EU,
based on the equal representation of women and men.
WEUCO will adopt a set of targeted conclusions focused on streamlining the gender perspective throughout all
European policies. Such conclusions are submitted to the Presidents of the European Parliament, the
Commission and the Council with the request to take into account gender equality when setting the political
priorities of the Union and encourage decision makers at all levels to follow. The next WEUCO meeting will be
focused on three main topics: promoting women’s representation in company boards, ending the gender pay gap
and strengthening women’s representation in politics and at the top of the EU institutions.
We count on your support and contribution in joining us.
Furthermore, EWA is glad to invite you to the dinner hosted in honour of its guests following the WEUCO
meeting.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Luminița
ODOBESCU
Permanent Representative of Romania
to the European Union
Alessia CENTIONI
EWA co-founder and president