Break The Silence / End The Violence

Europe House

The European Parliament Liaison Office in the UK and Young European Movement UK (YEM) request the pleasure of your presence at the official campaign launch:

“Break The Silence / End The Violence”.

When: 23rd of January at 6:00pm
Where: Europe House
32 Smith Square, SW1P 3EU London

With gender-based violence having recently been declared a national emergency in the UK and levels recorded as rising in several EU member states, this discussion could not come at a more pivotal time. You will hear from an expert panel who will discuss the need to destigmatise discussion around gender-based violence and examine the practical implementation of the Istanbul Convention across the EU as well as performance against the new government’s pledge to tackle male violence against women and girls. More information on the campaign here.

This will be an interactive discussion with Q&A with the audience and there will be a networking reception after the panel.

This will also be the opportunity to connect with British and European public figures, think-tanks and NGOs, activists, policymakers, political scientists and key stakeholders in the fight for gender equality.

Attendees will have the opportunity to virtually explore materials from the official “Break The Silence exhibition”, a joint venture with multi-award winning artist Ally Zlatar. This powerful, diverse and thought-provoking visual display showcases 20 of the best pieces out of just under 300 submissions and spotlights the effects of GBV from an intersectional perspective.

As the number of places is limited, we would be most grateful if you could RSVP to EPinUK@europarl.europa.eu by Monday 20 January to confirm attendance. Spaces will sell out quickly. Please bring ID and arrive 15 minutes early to clear security and avoid disruption.


Moderator:

Emma Nelson, Presenter, journalist, podcaster and broadcaster based in London. Currently reporting for Monocle 24 radio and, after two decades reporting and presenting, for the BBC for France 24 in Paris.  Emma is also an experienced host and moderator.

Speakers:

Frances Fitzgerald, international leader and influencer on equality from Ireland, who is currently serving a two-year term as a Member of the Gender Equality Advisory Council to the G7. A parliamentarian for over 20 years, Frances has served as Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister), Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Minister for Justice and Equality and was the State’s first Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. She held the position of Member of the European Parliament for 5 years (2019-2024), where she served on the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee, the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee and the Development Committee.

Cecilia Jastrzembska, YEM President and Co-Director. A Senior Policy Advisor with 6 years experience in central UK government, Fabian Women's Network mentee and a longstanding feminist advocate. Cecilia has been published in 20+ political newspapers and is an award winning public speaker. Her other roles include being a UK Delegate for EuropeTalks, a Grassroots for Europe Committee member, Control Commission member for the Young European Socialists, European Movement Executive Board member and a 50:50 Parliament Ambassador.

Sanna Lepola, Director-General for Parliamentary Democracy Partnerships at the European Parliament, which fosters cooperation and legislative dialogue with national parliaments by providing advice and expertise to political bodies, Members and administrative entities. Sanna has worked in different functions in the European Parliament for 25 years. Prior to her appointment, Ms Lepola was Secretary General of The Left group in the European Parliament, a position she held since May 2017. She is a long-standing advocate for gender equality and the fight against violence against women in politics in particular.

Lee Chambers, Founder of Male Allies UK and Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing. Chambers was inducted as a Kavli Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences in 2023.He has been interviewed by Vogue, The Guardian and Newsweek, and was recognised as a Gender Equality Changemaker by UN Women. He is one of the UK’s leading voices on male allyship and gender equity.

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