Brussels, 21/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - A new draft report supporting contraception and maternity leave was adopted by the European Parliament committee on women's rights (FEMM) on Tuesday 20 January. The plenary session stage in March will undoubtedly be more difficult to get through for these very sensitive subjects.
Abortion. The report was adopted by 24 votes in favour, 9 against, with 2 abstentions. The report draws up a score sheet of the progress achieved in the area of gender equality in 2013. It sheds light on persisting problems, such as wage differentials and violence against women. The report also highlights the fact that women must be allowed to control their sexual and reproductive rights, particularly through facilitated access to contraception and abortion. This kind of position regularly leads to heated debate at the European Parliament. At the end of 2013, the Estrela report on sexual and reproductive rights for women was rejected (see EUROPE 10981). The rapporteur stated that “it would be unacceptable if this right, won through women's struggle, is pushed backwards”. A conference on the subject will take place at the European Parliament in Brussels on 5 February, jointly organised by the S&D, ALDE, Greens and GUE/NGL political groups.
Maternity leave. The report also contains another sensitive dossier, the draft directive on maternity leave, which the European Commission is threatening to withdraw (undoubtedly due to pressure from the majority EPP group). MEPs have repeated their determination to cooperate to find a compromise with the Council, which has not managed to reach consensus on this subject (see EUROPE 11216, 11232). Tarabella is also fighting for paternity leave of a minimum of 10 days in Europe. The rapporteur explained “in our modern societies, it seems to me essential to allow fathers to exercise their right of reconciling professional and family life and granting them paternity leave”.
Tarabella is aware of the misgivings on this sensitive subject and welcomed the fact that they had been able to obtain a majority at the FEMM committee to support his report. He is hoping that the result will be confirmed in the March plenary and in this connection, is appealing to all “progressive” MEPs for their support.
Genital mutilation. Members from this committee have said that they will be putting pressure on the European Commission to strengthen sanctions in an effort to eradicate female genital mutilation. They will be addressing an oral question during the February plenary on the follow-up plan presented on this subject (see EUROPE 10970). (MD)