Women's sport network hopes to pick up steam
The Treaty of Lisbon, once it has entered into force, will give the EU a competence on sport, and the European Women and Sports (EWS) network wants to make sure that women's concerns are taken on board in all aspects of the policy.
The network met in early October to take stock of its 15 years of activity in promoting and developing stronger female participation in sport.
Participants of the 8th EWS conference in Limassol, Cyprus stressed that now that the network's general policy, values and strategic mission are absolutely clear, it is time to act and "embrace the spirit" by taking gender mainstreaming even further.
Since 1994, the network has been promoting gender equality in sports culture with regard to education and training as well as participation in decision-making.
With its membership spread across 44 European countries, it describes itself as "the only body representing the needs of women in sport in Europe".
The Cyprus conference stressed that from now on the network will focus on consolidating its leadership position, by building better contacts with other European sports organisations. By positioning itself as the reference body on women and sport in Europe, it also hopes to provide more regular input on all areas of EU, national and international sports policy development and implementation.
The European Union also promotes gender equality in sport. The European Commission stresses that women are under-represented, particulary in terms of participation in the organisation and management of sports activities and leadership positions.
The first EU call for sport projects, launched last spring, includes €0.6 million funding for networking and best-practice exchange in view of strengthening women's access to decision-making positions in the field (EurActiv 19/05/09).
The Commission is currently deciding on the grants so that the first projects can begin by the end of the year.
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