Women in EU Politics: Priorities & Challenges of the New Mandate

30/09/2024 - From 19h30 - Members & Guests
Registration mandatory

What are the priorities and challenges of the new term and mandate? How can we ensure that gender equality remains high on the agenda?

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Did you know that female representation in the European Parliament is down compared to 2019? Or that 54% of MEPs are newly elected?

Meanwhile at Commission level, we run the risk of having one of the worst gender balanced commissioners in recent years (!). Not forgetting that Member States defied Ursula von der Leyen's request for a 'gender balanced' nomination... 

In the context of these developments, join us as we hear from women active in EU politics on the good, the bad, and the expectations of the mandate to come.

Speakers:

Lina Aburous: Government Affairs Forward Global
Truuske Smits: Co-Founder HerEU
Anna Wangen: Communication Adviser ALDE Party | Writer & Executive Producer She Will be Heard

BIO

Lina Aburous:

Lina has over 15 years of experience specializing in governmental and institutional affairs, with a focus on building effective strategies for governments. Her expertise spans reputation management, country branding, public diplomacy, and corporate and political communications. Throughout her career, Lina has developed and implemented communication strategies that strengthen governmental and institutional relations. She has worked extensively in both public and private sectors across Europe, the GCC, MENA, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, advising on enhancing governmental interactions and building robust international relationships. 

At Foward Global, Lina provides intelligence and policy counsel on EU foreign affairs and institutional issues, designing strategies for engaging stakeholders with international and EU policymakers.

Truuske Smits

Truuske Smits is the Co-Founder of HerEU, an intersectional association of women in European politics - locally, regionally, nationally and on the European level - dedicated to promoting the representation, accessibility and empowerment of women, particularly those from marginalised communities. In her work with different political parties and politicians all over Europe she saw how many talented women decided not to run, leave politics early, and generally face a lot of hurdles to become and stay politicians.

Apart from her work for HerEU, Truuske works as a freelancer in Brussels advising and training political parties, politicians, and NGO’s on communication, and on political and diversity strategies.

Anna Wangen

Anna Wangen is Communication Adviser at the ALDE Party – Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, where she works closely with The Alliance Of Her, Europe’s leading programme empowering liberal women to lead and succeed in political life. As a digital storyteller, content creator and editor, she is passionate about connecting people to the EU and sharing how politics can deliver change and impact.

She is the Executive Producer of She Will Be Heard, a documentary film following three young women in politics, released in 2023. Originally from the United States, Anna has previous experience in the NGO, arts and culture and global development sectors.

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