Italian women in action- IdV set out a new plan
Active in the field of promoting civil rights, Italia dei Valori’s women’s network (ELDR member party) is now plugging away at different national topics. One of the most relevant is the position of women in the workplace. “We all worked –explained Patrizia Bugnano, IdV Italian MP - on a draft bill in order to: a) promote opportunities for self-employed women and women entrepreneurs; b) create a fund for small and medium sized women’s enterprises; c) create at least 1000 extra nurseries across Italy by 2011; d) better integrate women with disabilities into the business environment; and e) pursue pay equality.

Kristina Ojuland: “21st is the liberal women’s Century”
“I share Francis Fukuyama’s (American philosopher, political economist) view that the 21st century is the century of women” Kristina Ojuland MP and Vice President of the ELDR Party said. “I would even paraphrase him saying that the 21st century is a century of liberal women. There are many of us whose opinion counts in politics, business, media, etc. Liberal women do not need gender quotas for gaining positions. It is enough to have freedom of expression. We are competitive and ready to participate in society in an equal manner. I encourage all women to express their voices louder and set their sights higher! Happy Women’s Day!”

“Women’s rights central in liberal thinking”
“Ideas of equal opportunities and women's rights have been at the centre of liberal thought since the works of the father of modern liberalism John Stuart Mill” said Vesna Pusic MP, Vice President of the ELDR Party, and President of the European Liberal Women’s Network. “Ever since, the women’s rights movement there has been a liberal movement, like all other progressive movements throughout history. Today, these issues are as important as ever and European liberals are and must remain the driving force behind the fight for equal opportunities for all.” ”

Salaries are not equal yet in Europe
According to EU statistics, women receive, on average, 17.4 % less money than men across the whole EU. The greatest difference is in Estonia, where men earn 30.3 % more, while Italy has the best level of pay equality. The statistics also reveal that in the EU women are less represented in politics than men (24 % of the national law-makers and 31 % of MEPs are women). ELDR is pleased to show that it is concretely bucking this trend with 44% of the MEPs representing the ELDR family being women and having an ELDR Bureau composed of 70% women, including the president, five vice-presidents (out of seven) and the secretary general.