European Women's Lobby

First Victory for My Voice, My Choice in the European Parliament Brussels, 5 November 2025 – Today, the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) voted in favor of the European Citizens’ Initiative My Voice, My Choice, supporting safe and accessible abortion. The initiative received majority support, marking its first victory in the European Parliament. “We were nervous about the outcome, as this is the most right-leaning Parliament in history. Yet, as during signature collection across Europe, reproductive rights unite people across politics, nationalities, professions, religions, and generations,” said Nika Kovač, campaign coordinator. Support came from MEPs in five political groups: Socialists & Democrats, Renew, the Left, the Greens, and the European People’s Party (EPP). Next Step: Plenary Vote in Strasbourg The committee vote will be followed by a plenary vote in Strasbourg, where all 720 MEPs will decide. The campaign team is preparing to meet with more conservative MEPs. “Access to safe abortion is a public health issue. Bans don’t reduce abortions; they increase unsafe ones, causing severe health risks,” added Kovač. The European Commission will respond to the initiative by early March. A Campaign That United Europe My Voice, My Choice gathered 1.2 million signatures. Across the EU, over 20 million women still lack access to safe abortion care.

📆 On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November), the ETUI invites you to a webinar on gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) at work Our speakers will be examining: 🫸 How different workplace instruments and actors can contribute to effectively addressing and preventing GBVH in this crucial arena for action ⚖️ What the next steps are in EU law and policy 📑 On the programme: Kalina Arabadjieva, Senior researcher, ETUI Manuela Kropp, Policy officer, European Transport Workers' Federation Dr Ceren Kasım, Postdoctoral research and teaching fellow, University of Hildesheim Jane Pillinger, Independent researcher Bart Vanhercke, Director of Research, ETUI Isabelle Schömann, Deputy Secretary General, CES - ETUC (tbc) Mary Collins, Secretary General, European Women's Lobby Ana Carla Pereira, Director ‘Equality and Non-discrimination', DG Justice & Consumers, European Commission Valeria Ronzitti, Secretary General SGI Europe (tbc) Register here 🔗 etui.org/Z9c 📕 Dr Ceren Kasım will also be presenting her recent ETUI working paper on the 2024 EU Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence - a landmark piece of legislation that nevertheless does not specifically address the world of work Read it here 🔗 etui.org/Z9p

💬 “For gender equality to become a reality in Europe, we need all sectors — public and private — to act with conviction. This includes industries that have historically been male-dominated.” 🤝In our publication Women in the EPS Industry, Mary Collins, Secretary General of the European Women's Lobby, stresses that representation alone is not enough. Real change requires concrete measures: gender-responsive budgeting, binding equality targets, and inclusive workplace practices. 💡She also highlights the importance of connecting gender equality to Europe’s green transition, ensuring women are fully involved as decision-makers and leaders. 👉 Read her full testimony and the publication: https://zurl.co/NUFxs #WomenOfEUMEPS #EPS #Inclusion #Diversity #Equality #EU #Climate

WE FUCKED UP. The biggest vote on women’s rights in the EU is happening in just 6 days and no one knows about it. On November 5th, European politicians in the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality will vote on My Voice, My Choice — a proposal that aims to reduce unsafe abortions and make abortion safe and accessible for everyone. They have the power to make reproductive rights history. But we are being silenced. We are shadowbanned on social media. Politicians are doing everything in their power to stop us. We cannot let them win. But nothing we are trying is working. There are only two possible outcomes: If the vote fails, 20 million women will be left without access to safe abortion — left to die in hospital beds instead of receiving life-saving care. Every politician who votes against it will bear responsibility for those deaths. If the vote passes, Then, our proposal to reduce unsafe abortions will move forward to the full European Parliament. There, every Member of the European Parliament will have the chance to vote for or against it. If it succeeds, the European Commission could make safe abortion a reality across Europe in less than six months. We need your help to be seen. Repost this. Comment. Spread the word. Without your help, 20 million women could be left to die simply because they can’t access life-saving abortions.

From the frontlines of conflict to the halls of decision-making, women’s voices must be at the heart of the EU’s Gender Equality Strategy (2026–2030). In times of war and crisis, women and girls face disproportionate risks; from sexual and gender-based violence to poverty and exclusion from peace processes. The EU must act decisively to ensure that gender equality is not sidelined when it is needed most. From prevention to peacebuilding, from humanitarian aid to post-conflict recovery, gender equality must guide every EU policy and action. Discover EWL’s recommendations : 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eBKTD_sp #FeministEurope #GenderEquality #WomensRights