Since feminist ideas have become mainstream, of which many  were  initiated by European Directives or by lobbying campaigns of the European Women's Lobby and other organisations, women's lives have changed and improved.  While not all aspirations have been fulfilled there has been considerable progress in achieving them. The right to equal pay for equal work, equality of esteem, paid maternity leave, pension rights for part-time workers, access to finance and education on equal terms with men and legal protection against sexual harassment and discrimination are embedded in national legal frameworks to which women have recourse. But as women in executive positions in industry and business are still under-represented; have they fared better in public life? Of particular interest here is the contribution of women in the European Institutions.

Ahead of the European Elections in  2009 the EWL launched their 50/50 campaign in September 2008  with the aim of putting gender equality at the core of the European political agenda promoting the equal representation of women and men in decision making in all European Institutions.'No modern Europe without gender equality'.  Despite the campaign the election results were not too encouraging. The percentage of female MEPs rose from by 5% to 35% compared to 30% in the 2004 elections.Still a long way to go before parity is achieved. What is the position in the UK?  In 2004 the UK elected 19 women of a total of 78 MEPs, or 24%. In 2009 with he reduction in the number of MEPs to 72  24 women or 30%  were elected and 48 men.

However, reflecting the increase in the percentage of MEPs in 2009 36% of women are chairs and vice chairs of the current European parliamentary committees. 6 of 14 of the new Vice Presidents are women amounting to 43% compared with 28% in 2004.  However, women are still excluded from top political leadership of Parliament or as Chairs of political groups or national delegations.

With 4 months delay the European Parliament finally approved the new EU Commission, or the longest interregnum after a European election of 17 Commissioners 9 are women, the best in terms of gender balance yet, representing Greece, the Netherlands, Denmark, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland . What about the UK?   Baroness Catherine Ashton, a working Labour peer in the House of Lords who had already been appointed a Commissioner when Peter Mandelson returned to the UK government, was elevated to the new post of European High Commissioner for Foreign Affairs. Initial reaction to her elevation was mixed; many had never heard of her in the UK and in other European countries but she was the preferred low-profile candidate by the European Council of Ministers and so far she has met this expectation. Her role will be what she makes of it.

What serves the women of Europe better? High profile declarations; gender parity across the Union; token women or a few determined men and women of quality who drive the equality agenda? And isn't it time that middle-class European women who articulate their feelings and demands so persistently spoke up for the voiceless in Europe and other continents?

Sources: EWL News Flashes; Euroactive; Parliamentary Archives.