Spotlight on the political groups as gender equality actors

Struggles over issues of gendered violence in the European Parliament

Policy Study

03/03/2023

The aim of this policy study is to provide an account on the most advanced and recent developments of policies about gendered violence in the European Parliament (EP). Today’s context is shaped by the backlash of anti-gender movements and the rise of political groups with right-wing and extreme-right populist affinities, affecting the legitimacy of the EP altogether. As a result, gender equality is now a highly contested policy field in the EP, and it matters to understand the reasons for these contestations and develop better strategies to tackle the backlash. This policy study offers an extensive overview of the latest policy developments related to gendered violence, not only in terms of policy outcomes but also in terms of how gender equality as a norm is debated.

Analysing discourses shows the forms of resistance and stresses the counterstrategies needed to advance gender equality objectives. Eventually, the pursuit of gender equality objectives in the EP and its political groups requires coordinated efforts, which include decision-making strategies and a review of their own internal measures. This policy study reviews gender equality policies in the EP via three recent cases. They include the EU’s ratification of the Istanbul Convention, abortion rights in the EU and sexual harassment in the EP. Taken together, they showcase the necessity to prioritise the field in decision-making but also the importance of remaining attentive to both everyday practices in the Parliament and to political dynamics within and between its political groups in relation to gender equality issues.

Network
EUGENDEM
Fondation Jean-Jaurès
Find all related publications
Publications
05/03/2024

A European feminist foreign policy?

The need for a progressive and transformative approach
19/02/2024

Women CSO leaders for systemic change

How to support feminist leadership in Europe
01/02/2024

Bridging the gender pay gap in the Western Balkans?

A country case study of Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia
26/09/2023

‘Abortion in the EU’ – Country fact sheets

Multispeed access to abortion across member states
Find all related Progressive Post
Progressive Post
07/03/2024

Women in Politics do matter

07/03/2024

Far-right feminists? The exploitation of women’s rights and what’s behind it

07/03/2024

Digital misogyny and character assassination

Find all related events
Events
Past
08/03/2024
Budapest, Hungary

How to pursue gender equality in the context of right wing, authoritarian regimes?

The cases of Hungary and Serbia
23/02/2024
Barcelona, Spain

Accelerating progress

Towards a feminist future of work, without violence against women and from a European perspective
09 - 10/02/2024
Hungary and Serbia (Training)

Gender equality: How to pursue it in the context of right wing, authoritarian regimes?

The cases of Hungary and Serbia
Find all related news
News
08/03/2024

Discover the updated EU Care Atlas!

23/01/2024

Call for tender – FFP Research and network coordinator

This call for tender is now closed.
17/01/2024

Call for submissions – FFPPVC policy brief series

This call for tender closed on 16/02/2024
08/09/2023

The Feminist Foreign Policy Progressive Voices Collective (FFPPVC)

A collective to promote a feminist and progressive approach to foreign policy
Find all related in the media
In the media

FEPS President on Euronews talk-show ‘Brussels, my love?’

by Euronews 16/03/2024
FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues discusses NATO expansions and elections in Russia and Portugal on Euronews talk-show ‘Brussels, my love?‘

A credible future beyond growth has to be feminist

by euobserver 17/05/2023
Euobserver article about the #BeyondGrowth conference mentions FEPS 'Defining Care' Policy Brief

Pay transparency can help close the gender pay gap but at what cost?

by Euronews 31/08/2022

How many inequalities can the world fight at the same time?

by Social Europe 07/07/2022