On 17 January, Renew Europe called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, acting European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and European Council President Charles Michel to launch the Simone Veil Pact.

The Simone Veil Pact, representing a political commitment by EU Member States to adopt progressive measures in gender equality, aims to make gender equality a fundamental right at the heart of the European project.

Commenting on the declaration, Renew Europe President Stéphane Séjourné said:

“Even though equality between women and men is a fundamental right enshrined in the European Union Treaties, it is far from a reality in many places in Europe. In today's declaration, Renew Europe called for the need to preserve, promote and strengthen the rights of all European women at all levels under the support of the European institutions.”

Renew Europe has now asked three EU institutions to sign the declaration and support the principles of sexual and reproductive rights, combatting violence against women, enhancing political representation and ensuring gender-equal family life and equality at work.

To make these rights a reality for women on the European continent, Renew Europe urges the European Commission to identify the most effective legislation to encourage introduction and application of these principles in Member States or, if suitable, propose it at the European level. Following this, EU Member States will be asked to introduce the most relevant measures identified by the European Commission into their legislation.

Further, Renew Europe calls on the European Parliament to annually monitor the implementation of commitments made by national authorities and the European institutions as related to this pact. Finally, the Group calls on the European Council and the Council of the European Union to make gender equality a political priority for the European Union.

Samira Rafaela MEP (D66, NL), Renew Europe Coordinator on the European Parliament Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) Committee, said:

“The fight for equal rights for women is far from over. There is a bitter conservative wind blowing through Europe, opposing anything that contributes to the advancement of women’s rights. The Simone Veil Pact is our commitment to all women and girls in Europe. Renew Europe stands by you and we will continue the fight for equality.”

You can read the full declaration here.

The #SimoneVeilPact aims to make a reality of #equality between women & men as a fundamental right at the heart of the 🇪🇺 project

Today, we have called on @vonderleyen, acting EP President @RobertaMetsola & @eucopresident to launch the Simone Veil Pact! https://t.co/dvtvIhc2fW pic.twitter.com/xrdIb60Tiy

— Renew Europe (@RenewEurope) January 17, 2022

Photo credit: Samira Rafaela