Gelijke kansen voor allochtone vrouwen cruciaal in economische doelstelling EU (en)

"Equality between women and men is not an end in itself. It is a prerequisite for meeting the EU's aims for growth, employment and social cohesion", said president of the EESC Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship, Leila Kurki on launching the European Network of Migrant Women (ENMW), the first EU level organisation of migrants. EESC is a partner of the network.

In an integrated Europe and in a globalised and interdependent world, diversity and difference are normal. "Equality should be mainstreamed into all policies, and the specific area here is the migrant women’s integration and fundamental rights", Ms Kurki reiterated.

The Committee believes that integration policies must be linked to the main objectives of EU social policy and become an integral part of the Social Agenda. Women, and especially migrant women, are vulnerable to social exclusion and poverty. "It is important that gender analysis is fully mainstreamed into all of the Commission's spheres of activity, also in the immigration policy field", said Ms Kurki.

The Committee would like to see an effective instrument adopted, which reflects the specific features of domestic work. "EU and the Member States should combat the considerable amount of illegal work in this sector, and protect migrant women who are in irregular circumstances and suffer abuse. International conventions should be applied and should offer them protection", said Ms Kurki.

The European Economic and Social Committee is very much in line with the ENMW’s approach. "Employment, education, health, the fight against violence, women’s participation in public, political and business life, are our core tasks", added Ms Kurki.

The European Network of Migrant Women is the first EU level organisation of migrants. ENMW is also invited as a speaker to the third meeting of the European Integration Forum organised by the EESC and the European Commission.