Introducing at least 10 days of paid paternity leave and recognising a woman's right to abortion and contraception were two positive proposals included in a gender equality report that was adopted by Parliament's committee on women's rights and gender equality today.

Spanish MEP Ángela Vallina said: “The inclusion of these positive proposals in the progress report on gender equality is a welcome sign; indeed, many important aspects of gender equality have been reinforced throughout the text.

“Nevertheless, we were disappointed that our attempts to modify the report so that it flagged up how austerity measures have had particularly acute consequences for women were not successful this time. We will re-table these amendments for the plenary vote and we hope that MEPs will reconsider.”

Vallina added: “We are also worried about how right-wing parties in the European Parliament are going to vote when the report comes to plenary, particularly when it comes to abortion, an issue on which they are openly hostile.”

Swedish MEP Malin Björk, GUE/NGL coordinator on the FEMM committee, highlighted a special joint conference on abortion rights that will be held in the European Parliament on 5 February.

She said: “Together with the Greens, ALDE, and the S&D, the GUE/NGL is co-hosting a special event on abortion rights titled 'All of us! Mobilising for abortion rights'.

“We must protect abortion rights in Europe and beyond. Women must have rights over their own bodies and should be free to choose when it comes to abortion. We need wide access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. The #ALLofUS conference will be a great opportunity to have these issues discussed between MEPs across different political groups.”

GUE/NGL Press Contacts:
Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
European United Left / Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group