Hosted by the Social Democratic Women of Finland, PES Women gathered in Helsinki for its statutory meeting, bringing together members from across Europe to discuss key challenges and priorities for advancing gender equality.
Following welcoming remarks from Social Democratic Party Vice-President Pinja Perholehto and Demarinaiset Executive Director Noora Kettunen, members exchanged updates on recent developments affecting women’s rights and gender equality in their respective countries, while identifying common challenges and priorities.
In the afternoon, public health specialist Nico Vehmas delivered an insightful presentation on women’s health from a Finnish perspective, highlighting persistent gender gaps in healthcare and the importance of gender-responsive health policies. The presentation was followed by a round-table discussion featuring Helena Marttila, Chair of Demarinaiset, Nico Vehmas and Ilona Som, Political Adviser to the Social Democratic Party of Finland (SDP), who further explored challenges and opportunities for improving women’s health and reducing inequalities.
The meeting reaffirmed PES Women’s commitment to working together across borders to promote equal rights, combat discrimination and ensure that progress towards gender equality continues across the European Union and beyond.
Participants:
- Zita Gurmai, PES Women President, MSZP Hungary
- Emmi Lintonen, PES Women Vice-President, SDP Finland
- Olga Markogiannaki, PES Women Executive Member, PASOK Greece
- Roberta Mori, PES Women Executive Member, PD Italy
- Roulla Mavronikola, PES Women Executive Member, EDEK Cyprus
- Riina Sikkut, PES Women Executive Member, SDP Estonia
- Vera Tax, PES Women Executive Member, PvdA Netherlands
- Inga Verhaert, PES Women Executive Member, Vooruit Belgium
- Eli Harris, PES Women Ex-Officio Member, YES, Labour UK
- Carina Ohlsson, PES Women Ex-Officio Member, PES CoR, SDP Sweden
- Ania Skrzypek, PES Women Ex-Officio Member, FEPS, Nowa Lewica Poland
- Noora Kettunen, PES Women Statutory Member, SDP Finland
- Karin Paulus, PES Women Statutory Member, SDE Estonia
- Katarzyna Ueberhan, PES Women Statutory Member, Nowa Lewica Poland
Guests:
- Helena Marttila, Chair of the Social Democratic Women Finland, Member of Parliament of Finland
- Pinja Perholehto, 3rd Vice-Chair of the SDP Finland, Member of the PES Presidium, Member of Parliament of Finland
