Final report on activities working period 1999-2003
2. History
3. Membership
4. Meetings
5. Plan of Action (POA)
6. Report on activities
7. Conclusions
8. Word of thanks
1. Introduction
Before you lies the final report on the activities of the EBU commission on the advancement of the interests
of blind and partially sighted women (or, as we say internally: the EBU women’s commission) following the plan
of action for the working period 1999-2003.
After a short history of the women’s commission, information on its membership, meetings held, and a reminder
of the plan of action’s content, the activities undertaken are set out, and under each topic the recommendations
for the next working period 2003-2007 are mentioned. More recommendations will surely result from the EBU Women’s
Forum 2003 (WF) next November. Those will be included in the report on the WF together with the resolutions.
Some projects are still going on at the time of writing this report. Results and report on those will be made
later on and included in this report for presentation at the General Assembly. All information will be available
at the EBU Paris Office.
Back to contents
2. History
The commission was set up in 1992, its first working period being 1993 – 1996. Now, in 2003, we
celebrate our tenth anniversary. Ten years in which some steady steps were made towards a higher representation
of women in EBU and towards an awareness of the importance to include the gender aspect in all EBU work.
The board welcomed its first female member, Merja Pertimo (Finland) in 1993, and had two woman members in 1996
and in 1999: Tiina Nummi Södergren (Sweden) and Frances Fortuin (The Netherlands), the latter being the first
chair of the women’s commission. No increase to three in 1999, alas, but let’s
see what the General Assembly 2003 brings.
Also women’s representation in commissions and in delegations to the General Assemblies has increased over
the years, and the EBU constitution was amended in the 1999 General Assembly concerning
gender balanced representation.
Our cause has been readily supported by the EBU board, but when it comes to representation it is really the
national organizations we count on; they have to strive for balanced nominations and delegations.
EBU, national organizations, women and men have to join forces and take all necessary action to ensure
that equal opportunities become a reality. To create an EBU that has balanced representation
and that is an organization in which all blind and partially sighted women and men of all
ages feel that their concerns and needs are taken on board. When barriers to full participation
have been identified and eliminated, when both genders have equal possibilities to be full and active
members of society, our work is done. But until then, we’ll keep adding a couple of years more to our
existence as EBU women’s commission.
Back to contents
3. Membership
The commission members formed a good representation of different ages and different regions of EBU,
with a 50% renewal. Fresh blood and ideas, combined with already existing experience and knowledge of EBU,
proved a successful combination.
Board member Tiina Nummi Sodergren, Sweden, was our skillful board link . Being active herself in gender work,
her contributions were of great significance.
Commission membership:
Birgitta Blokland, chairperson, The Netherlands
Mavzilia Ioudina, vice-chairperson, Russia
Ria Decoopman, Belgium
Helga Neumann, Germany
Vanda Dignani, Italy
Jivka Pavlova, Bulgaria
Catherine Oelhoffen, France
Maria Jose Sanchez, Spain
Dora Fardela, Greece
Zoia Tarakanova, Belarus
Alexandra Troullidou, Cyprus*
Hikmet Ozer, Turkey *
* We started off with 12 women, half of them new to our commission and ranging in age from 25-70
(at the beginning of the mandate). But sadly enough one of them had to leave us and the other never even got started.
Alexandra Troullidou, an active member, was withdrawn by her organisation in 2001
and Hikmet Ozer was nominated, but only officially withdrawn by her organisation in 2002.
Back to contents
4. Meetings
The commission met six times:
23-25 June 2000 in Larnaka, Cyprus
2-4 February 2001 in Athens, Greece
28-30 September 2001, Almåsa, Sweden
15-17 February 2002, Madrid, Spain
28-30 September 2002, Moscow, Russia
8-11 May 2003, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
in attendance
At the first meeting, Mokrane Boussaid joined us. Very useful for both parties. A tradition that,
if possible, should be continued!
At the second meeting, Yiannis Vardakastanis, board member, replaced Tiina Nummi Södergren. As Yiannis also
is EDF president, we made good use of his presence by adding EDF as extra item to our agenda.
At the third meeting, Vivi-Anne Emanuelsson, link to the Rehabilitation, vocational training and employment
(rvte) commission attended to discuss women and employment. Kerstin Finndahl presented the report on her
research done on women with disabilities and violence, a joint session with the Swedish women’s commission.
At the fourth meeting Sonia Povis from Peru was observer
At the fifth meeting members of the Russian women’s committee attended as observers, as was the vice president
of VOS, Lidia Abramova.
And at our last meeting Frances Fortuin, board member and former EBU women’s commission chair,
joined us for the discussions on prenatal diagnosis and the plan on equality. Also a joint session with
the board took place on the last day of the meeting in the Netherlands where views were exchanged on the
before mentioned documents.
Agenda
The plan of action was always on the agenda as were reports on work done sofar and on national activities
of our commission members. Also extra items as mentioned above, and any other relevant topics were dealt with.
The minutes are available at the EBU Paris Office.
Back to contents
5. Plan of Action (POA)
5.1 The EBU women’s commission works for the advancement of the interests of all EBU women by making
women and their often specific situation visible, promoting their interests and getting those included in all
EBU decision making. We strive for equal representation and participation of age and gender in boards and commissions
of EBU and its memberorganisations. Only that will provide a firm and good basis for a stronger and more democratic
EBU, that in all its diversity strives for the same goal: equal opportunities for all blind and partially
sighted in society.
The Plan of Action was based on the EBU board’s POA and on the resolutions and decisions made by the EBU women’s Forum
1999 ‘ Breaking Barriers Together’, where woman delegates from 37 countries approved the draft presented there.
As we represent the women from all EBU countries, it is important that they themselves have a say in what the priority
issues are that have to be dealt with by our commission in a four year period. The women’s forum gives that possibility.
And obviously, along the way other issues emerged, demanding our attention and action.
At the Women’s Forum 2003, a draft plan of action will be presented again for input and approval to the Forum
delegates.
5.2 Long term goals
The plan of action reads:
Full equality has been reached when blind and partially sighted women and girls have achieved full
participation and decent living conditions in our societies and organizations at all levels.
That means full inclusion of blind and partially sighted women and girls in economical, social and cultural
life, as well as enjoying their own family life. Blind and partially sighted women have the right to keep their
identity as women without suffering from discrimination.
Our long term goal is also to dissolve our commission, when gender is automatically and naturally included in all
decision and policy making, when balanced representation of and equal opportunities
for both genders is a fact.
5.3 Short term goals
Our plan of action included
1. setting up a women’s network
2. setting up a newsbulletin
3. conduct a survey
4. organize a leadership training together with ebu youth commission
5. set up a plan on Equality
6. organize the EBU Women’s Forum 2003
7. continue cooperation with other ebu commissions and other women’s organizations
8. gather information and relevant documents
Back to contents
6. Report on activities
6.1 Setting up a women’s network
Goal of the network is to exchange information, experience, knowledge and ideas, to inspire and assist eachother
in our work. A wish expressed by many women at the women’s forum was to be able to get in touch, to get
information and help.
At the women’s forum 1999 where delegates from 36 EBU countries were present, the first members
for the EBU women’s network were registered.
A registration form was developed and handed or sent out, inquiring about the interest of the aspirant member
and her expectations of the network. Also other information is asked, in order to better direct our activities
to the needs expressed.
The network now counts 47 members who receive the EBU women’s newsbulletin and those who have access to it,
are included in an Email discussion list.
A recommendation for the next working period is to make an evaluation, to see if the expectations of the
networkmembers are met. And ways should be explored to encourage more women of the network to use the emaillist
for the exchange of information, to ask for advice etc. up to now, the email list is too much used in a one way
direction: info and news from the women’s commission.
Back to "Report on activities" contents
6.2 Setting up a newsbulletin
To serve as Platform for the women’s network to exchange information. It includes articles on the work of the women’s
commission, other activities and topics that could be of interest and that are related to gender issues.
Network members and EBU women’s commission members are invited to contribute to the newsbulletin with articles,
reports and other information.
Our bulletin is a supplement to the EBU Newsletter and is being distributed by the EBU Paris Office.
The network members receive a digital copy through the EBU women’s network email list. 10 bulletins were issued,
of which copies are available at the EBU Paris Office. We started off with an editing group, but that quickly
watered down to the one editor, being the chair of the commission.
The newsbulletin can be found on the EBU website under the women’s commission own page. The page also contains
other information on the commission and its activities. All info is being sent to the Paris Office,
where Marie makes sure the material is being put on the site. However, it should be livened up, updated
and looked after better by the commission.
A recommendation for the next working period is to continue with the newsbulletin. Reactions are positive from
our readers. The website should be improved and updated, making at least one person responsible for the site.
Make it a specialized site on gender issues.
Back to "Report on activities" contents
6.3 Conduct a survey
To investigate the needs and assess the current situation of blind and partially sighted women in EBU countries.
Intensive workinggroup and plenary sessions were held during our meetings to come up with a well thought,
thourough and extensive survey. It was distributed among EBU women’s network members to start with.
We believed that sending it directly and personally to women would increase the response. We also thought
that it would be easier for participants to fill out one long questionnaire than several short ones.
The response was quite good, 20. Considering that we sent it to around that time, 40 network members and women’s
commission members, who were asked to invite at least two more women from their country to participate. It took
awhile before the answers came in; many reminders had to be sent out, offering help and even phonecalls,
to raise the number of replies. Some women commented it was too long, and some said the part with questions
about their organization was not clear. But what worked really well to get the response we had, was the personal
and direct mail. In other cases, a questionnaire may never reach our target group as it has to pass too many people
and departments first.
From the answers we got, a clear idea on the situation and priorities of EBU women comes forward. More training,
more work and equal pay for equal work, better access to (technical) aids, rehabilitation and other activities.
But of course, the results should be treated with care and should merely be seen as an first indication. A pilot.
When a much larger group is included in the mailing list, and the response is accordingly, more accurate conclusions
could be drawn.
A report on the results of the survey will be available at the Paris Office.
A recommendation for the next working period is to repeat the survey and to send it to as many EBU women as
possible (directly!). Funding for such a project would help a lot in order to have professional support to adapt
and process the survey.
Back to "Report on activities" contents
6.4 Organize a leadership training together with EBU youth commission
A brainstorm session lead to a concrete proposal for a programme, which was sent for discussion and input
to the EBU youth commission. The plan was approved and the search for financial means began. The plan had
to be abandoned due to lack of financial resources. This was really a blow to both commissions, as it was
the second time (the women’s commission tried last working period to organize something similar) that due to
lack of money such needed training could not be offered.
In consultance with the youth commission the alternative arose to offer, as a pilot, some leadership workshops
at the EBU Women’s Forum 2003, which could then be improved and hopefully the joint training can be organised
in the next working period, using the blueprint already available. Condition is that EBU board and liaising
commission commit themselves to actively investigate and support possibilities for EU funding.
As there is the wish of both commissions to meet the need for this activity of EBU youth and women,
the recommendation for the next working period is to urge board to assist in finding financial means for
a leadership training.
Back to "Report on activities" contents
6.5 Set up a plan on Equality
Upon the board’s request an Equality plan is being prepared. The starting point is gender equality, but as we share
some problems and solutions with other still underrepresented groups like youth and partially sighted,
we would like to make the document a bit broader and include those other groups in the proposals outlined.
People from other commissions have been invited to contribute with a short text to share their viewpoint
on equality and diversity.
We would like the document to be a practical user’s guide, a checklist on how to work with equality
and diversity. The first draft was presented May 2003 after a brainstorm and working group sessions at the Moscow
meeting, in which three documents served as inspiration: the WBU plan for gender equality, the EDF manifesto of
disabled women and the resolutions of the 1999 EBU Women’s Forum.
At the end of the document these and other relevant documents will be listed as reference. The title of the
equality and diversity user’s guide is ‘Towards a culture of Equality’ and it is aimed at the EBU board,
commissions and working groups, and national members.
The second draft will be presented to the EBU board, and relevant commissions for comments, after which the final
version will be presented and adopted.
The document will be promoted and spread in the next working period and is available at the EBU Paris office
by the end of 2003.
A recommendation for the next working period is to adapt the document on further input received, to promote it,
to evaluate it and to adapt it according to developments in EBU and its member organizations.
Back to "Report on activities" contents
6.6 Organize the EBU Women’s Forum 2003
Which will precede the EBU General Assembly in Athens, Greece, november 2003.
The first proposal for a programme was approved by the board 2001. The theme is
‘Towards a culture of Equality’ referring to the plan on Equality that has the same title,
and to the goals of our commission work. It also seemed a good follow up on the
‘Breaking barriers together’ of 1999.
The event comprises three days, one with reviews and reports, one with workshop sessions on leadership,
and one with focus on the future including workinggroup sessions and the presentation and adoption of resolutions.
We are grateful that we could count on financial support again from SHIA and WBU president’s office,
and on the contributions of our hosts, PAB. Without this support the event might not have taken place.
The report on the second EBU Women’s Forum will be presented at the EBU General Assembly in Athens and included
in the minutes of the latter. Available at the EBU Paris office.
A recommendation for the next working period is to organise the third EBU Women’s Forum 2007, preceding
the General Assembly.And to try and find financial support, starting in time.
Back to "Report on activities" contents
6.7 Continue cooperation
with other EBU commissions and other relevant organizations
6.7.1 Internal
As in the previous working period the cooperation with other EBU commissions proved fruitful and the
support given and received valuable, we appointed link persons again for this mandate. Some commissions
also appointed link persons, for those that didn´t, the chair was contacted.
- The Social and Human Rights commission presented, in consultation with our commission, a policy paper
on implementing the human and social rights of visually impaired women in Europe which was approved by
the board in 2001.
- Input was given on the survey of the elderly commission and on the one of the
rehabilitation vocational training and employment commission.
- Input was given on the policy paper of the partially sighted commission.
- Proposals for resolutions were presented at the EBU employment conference July 2003 in Paris,
France, which were adopted. The resolutions can be found in the report on the conference.
- Input was given on the programme for the EBU employment conference held in Paris, France, July 2003
6.7.2 External
- The EBU is member of the World Blind Union (WBU). WBU has a women’s
committee that consists of the chairs of the regional women’s commissions. The
EBU women’s commission was represented by its chairperson.
- The EBU is also member of the European Disability Forum, and is represented by two EBU women’s
commission members since 2001: Catherine Oelhoffen in the EDF women’s committee and Birgitta Blokland
in the EDF committee on communication and campaigning.
- The EBU women’s commission has become associate member of the European women’s lobby (EWL) in 2003.
- The EBU women’s commission and the Nordic Women’s commission chairs
continued their cooperation mainly by exchanging information and reports.
As cooperation proved beneficial to all parties involved, a recommendation for the next working period
is to continue with the existing contacts and to expand to other organisations and/or groups.
Back to "Report on activities" contents
6.8 Gather information and relevant documents
This has been done and could be read in the EBU women’s newsbulletin and can be found, listed, in the plan on
Equality. Copies of which are available at the EBU Paris Office. In the previous working period a start was made
in collaboration with the Paris Office, with a database of information, articles, documents. To make this ´database
´ more visible, we hope to put it on the internet, on the EBU site.
A recommendation for the next working period is to continue and to put more of these documents,
reports, and information on the EBU website under the women’s commission page.
Back to "Report on activities" contents
6.9 Other activities
6.9.1 In 2001 the board adopted our proposal to have it as a rule that in all surveys, questionnaires
and the like, conducted by any commission or working group in EBU, age and gender are included.
Collecting data, broken down to age and gender, are very important when developing activities.
Up to now such data are hardly, or not available.
6.9.2 In 2003 the board adopted our proposal to introduce EBU awards, one of them being the EBU Equality award.
Also the EBU partially sighted commission mentioned in their policy document the possibility of awards.
A workinggroup has been set up to investigate the possibilities further. The group consists of Tommmaso
Daniele, EBU board, a member of the partially sighted commission and the chair of the women’s commission.
6.9.3 EBU Daphne project against violence
EBU initiated, based on resolutions from the 1999 Women’s Forum and General Assembly, a project on combatting
violence against women with visual disabilities. The EBU women’s commission is directly involved through the steering
group, as the other four partners (France, Italy, Spain and The Netherlands) are represented by two women, one being
member of the EBU women’s commission.
More info on the project can be found in the EBU women’s newsbulletin No 8 March/April 2003. The project runs
until the end of the year.
6.9.4 March 2003 an attempt was made to send in another project proposal to the EU DG
on employment and social affairs, the department on gender equality. The conditions outlined by the EU
were perfectly met by the activities of a leadership training, the equality plan, the women’s forum,
also campaigning and other activities could be included. Preference was given to projects concerning women
with disabilities in the framework of the European Year of People with disabilities.
However, due to the late reactions and commitment of partners the deadline became very short, and with the withdrawal
of EBU’s support at the last moment, the case had to be abandoned. Also, the Brussels information worker was not
in office to help out, but we were not informed until later that the Brussels office was not operating any longer.
A golden opportunity that shouldn’t have been lost. But we will use it as an experience to learn from.
EBU board and liaising commission should look into ways to make quick action possible if needed and to support
campaigning for projects of the commission in the future.
Some recommendations for the next working period are to
Stay alert, ask information and to take action according to the events in our organization.
Also, the EDF mandates should be kept an eye on (current working period is until 2004), to ensure
EBU women’s representation again in EDF women’s committee and at least one other committee.
Follow the EWL information that the commission will receive as member, and take necessary action upon this information.
Remind the Liaising commission regularly of the need for funds for our activities, ask to be kept informed.
Organize an event or campaign for international women’s day, March 8.
Back to "Report on activities" contents
Back to contents
7. Conclusions
The EBU women’s commission has dealt with all issues included in its Plan of Action, and more,
with commitment and enthusiasm. All short term goals but one were achieved. The leadership training
is ready on paper, and hopefully the financial means will be found to hold the training in the next
working period, in cooperation with the youth commission.
I think we can be content with the result and I am confident that the next women’s commission will
work again with full energy, converting plans into concrete actions and inspiring results, committed
to the people we represent: all women in EBU.
Back to contents
8. Word of thanks
As parting chair, I would like to express my warmest thanks to all of you who have helped to make our work a success.
For your support, motivation and concrete contributions.
I would like to mention the personal support by Sir John, who many a time has paved the way for our proposals,
and has ‘translated’ our ideas into official EBU language. Our ‘sisters in arms’ in the board, Tiina and Frances.
Mokrane, always ready to find practical solutions and together with Carol and Marie active ‘forwarders’
of interesting and useful information. Tony, who has contributed in an important manner to our commission work.
And......many many more! Your support and encouragement have meant a lot.
Vanda, Helga, Catherine, Maria Jose, Dora, Jivka, Ria, Zoia and Mavzilia; Patrizia, Monica, Margareth, Irina,
Morfi(ta) and all other guides and interpreters who have also become part of our extended women’s commission family.
For allowing our commission to become what it is: a powerful team, open, with respect for each other,
for our different views and backgrounds.
I look back on seven years women’s commission with content and pride; we have come a long way together.
And I wish the next women´s commission all the success in the world; keep up the team spirit!
By Birgitta Blokland
Member and chairperson EBU women’s commission 1996-2003
June 2003
Back to contents