Brussels, 27th May 2003

Dear Members of the Convention on the Future of Europe,

Equality of women and men in articles I-2 and I-4 draft European Constitutional Treaty

The European Women’s Lobby (EWL) considers the current wording relating to gender equality in Part I of the new revised text of the Constitutional Treaty as a betrayal of the women of Europe. Once again, EWL, representing thousands of women across the European Union and beyond, joining voice with women Parliamentarians, some members of the Convention, experts and other NGOs, expresses its deep disappointment that gender equality has not been strengthened in the revised text as compared to the current European Treaty.

We believe that further neglect of this issue by the Convention may greatly jeopardise the acceptance by European women, voters and citizens, of a constitutional text that does not support the full realisation of their human rights.

Inequalities between women and men remain systematic and institutionalised in all areas of life and gender is fundamental to how society organises itself, with men having privileged access to economic resources and political decision-making. In order to begin to redress this imbalance, it is essential that the European Constitution addresses gender inequalities, thereby making women’s experience and reality visible.

EWL makes the following demands concerning Part I of the draft Constitutional Treaty:

1. Equality of women and men in Article I-2 (Values), first sentence: add “(…) and respect for human rights, including equality of women and men”.

Equality of women and men must be placed in the first sentence of Article I-2, which will be used as the basis for sanction procedures against Member States. Equality of women and men must remain a clearly stated core value of the European Union in order to eliminate gender inequality and ensure the full realisation by all women of their human rights.

2. Equality of women and men in Article I-4: add a new paragraph 3 “In the field of application of this Constitution and without prejudice of any of its specific provisions, any discrimination on grounds of sex shall be prohibited.”

Only such an article in part I of the Constitutional Treaty and with direct effect would insure real equality of women and men in all areas of application of the Constitution.

The drafting of a European Constitution for the 21st Century is a unique opportunity for all Europeans to demonstrate an unequivocal commitment to finally achieving equality of women and men. We trust that you will make the amendments suggested here in the final draft of the Constitutional treaty.

Yours sincerely,

Mary Mc Phail
Secretary General of the European Women’s Lobby