WOMEN'S organisations throughout the EU have appealed to the summit to do more to enshrine the principle of equality in the EU Treaty, writes Patrick Smyth.
Ms Barbara Helfferich, the general secretary of the European Women's Lobby, which brings together 2,700 women's organisations, called yesterday for the inclusion of a full chapter on equality, including "positive action", and the strengthening of its social and employment provisions.
Speaking at a public rally in Amsterdam to mark the end of a petition drive, the Dutch MEP Ms Nel van Dijk, chairwoman of the European Parliament Women's Committee, attacked the treaty for "paying empty lipservice to equality.
It allows antidiscrimination action by the Union, she said, but "does not say it is forbidden to discriminate."
The petition, which has attracted some 28,000 signatures, was presented to the Dutch presidency.
