Mrs. Maria Helena de Felipe Lehtonen, President of AFAEMME, is a member of the European Network of Women in Decision-Making in Politics and Economy. The Network, which is an initiative of the EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Mr. Vladimir Spidla, comprise the Chairs of existing European-level networks active in promoting the advancement of women in decision-making positions.

Here you will find information about the contents of the different meetings of the Network and a selection of pictures of this meetings:

Fifth meeting of the European Network of Women in Decision-Making in Politics and the Economy - April 2010, Brussels

The fifth meeting of the European Network of Women in Decision-Making in Politics and the Economy, held in Brussels last April 26th, was about the quota-instrument as a key for enhancing a greater participation of women both in politics and in the economy. Chair of this fifth meeting has been Mrs. Belinda Pyke, Director of the European Commission’s DG for Employment, Social Policy and Equal Opportunities, and Daniela Bankier, head of the Unit “Equality between Women and Men” of the Directorate General.

During the thematic discussion on the quota-instrument Mrs. Eva-Britt Svensson, President of the European Parliament Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee, highlighted the views of the EP and its contribution to gender balance in decision-making and Mrs. Irene Natividad, President of the Global Summit of Women and Chair of Corporate Women Directors International, spoke about the quota-strategy from a world global perspective.

After the thematic discussion the Network members presented the status of the quota legislation and the effective situation in their respective countries. Mrs. De Felipe, AFAEMME`s President, offered an overview of the quota-instrument in politics and in the economy in Spain.

The meeting-lunch was chaired by the European Commission’s Vice-President, Mrs. Viviane Reding, who supported the Network’s aims and encouraged to continue working on women’s positioning.

Fourth meeting of the European Network of Women in Decision-Making in Politics and Economy - December 2009, Brussels

During the fourth meeting of the European Network of Women in Decision-Making in Politics and Economy, held in Brussels last December 11th, Mrs. Mª Helena de Felipe Lehtonen, President of AFAEMME, presented the Association’s report on “Promotion of Women in Decision-making Positions in the SMEs of Catalonia”, which is a result of a study, realized with the support of the Catalan Government, that gathers data from a survey answered by 400 representatives of Catalan small and medium enterprises (SME) associations.

Members also discussed about the Roadmap for Equality between Women and Men 2011-2015 and about the Report from the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, especially about the Council’s achievements in relation to women and the economy and about the degree of achievement of the strategic objectives of taking measures to ensure women’s equal access to and full participation in power structures and decision making and of increasing women’s capacity to participate in decision making and leadership.

Please click here to view the Network’s Bulletin on the Meeting.

Third meeting of the European Network of Women in Decision-Making in Politics and Economy - April 2009, Brussels

Maria Helena de Felipe Lehtonen, President of AFAEMME, participated in the third meeting of the Network, which took place in Brussels on April 3rd 2009 and was about role models.

Participants analyzed the different roles and behaviors associated with the female gender that difficult the overcoming of differences between men and women in the labour market by becoming the social stereotypes that, constructed by society, hinder the development and growth of women in the professional field.

The members of the Network recognized the importance of role models in inspiring others and in shaping changes in the working and leadership environment for the benefit of other women. Successful role models can highlight issues, progress action and get responses by seeking interventions such as targets/quotas for the appointment of women, acting as “drivers” and exposing the difference between aspirations and actions and the lack of progress towards eliminating gender discrimination. Therefore, all participants concluded that the presence of women (and men) role models paves the way for better dialogue, more informed discussion and better decisions and outcomes.

Second meeting of the European Network of Women in Decision-Making in Politics and Economy - December 2008, Brussels

The Network’s meeting of December 2008, attended by AFAEMME’s President Mrs. Mª Helena de Felipe Lehtonen, was about global networking as important tool in influencing decision-making.

Participants agreed that there is a need to target potential network members, using up-to-date communication tools such as social networking websites and blogs, and that women in networks can act as “role models” and “change agents” to assist women into businesses or political parties, to get them onto boards, to get them elected and to change the company’s or party’s policies and cultures.

Inaugural meeting of the European Network of Women in Decision-Making in Politics and Economy - June 2008, Brussels

AFAEMME, as a member of the network, was represented by its President, Mrs. Maria Helena de Felipe, in the first meeting of the Network held in Brussels on June 2nd, 2008.

The European Commission’s Network of Women in Decision-making in Politics and Economy, which is an initiative of the EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Mr. Vladimir Spidla, comprise the Chairs of existing European-level networks active in promoting the advancement of women and, in particular, the promotion of women in decision-making positions. It’s added-value lies in its potential to facilitate partnerships and synergies between existing European networks and all stakeholders, and in particular decision-makers.

As a network of networks, the Commission's Network will contribute to achieving gender balance in decision-making, breaking down the existing barriers to women’s career progress and giving them a higher visibility. Furthermore it provides a platform for European-level cooperation, exchange of information and experience, debate, mutual learning, and sharing of good practice with a view to promoting gender balance in decision-making at all levels and overcoming obstacles to women’s career progress.

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