On September 2nd, the European Parliament committee on Women rights and Gender equality (FEMM) held a debate on the report on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). MEP Edite Estrela (S&D, Portugal) as rapporteur on the report, welcomed the many constructive amendments tabled by all groups but also expressed her strong opposition to some amendments that will run against the individual’s right to SRHR and gender equality. MEP Mariya Gabriel (EPP, Bulgaria) as shadow rapporteur welcomed the initiative to have a dedicated report on SRHR and insisted, on behalf of the EPP group, on young people and their needs for sex education that take into account their emotional development, their exposure to internet and pornography and the role of parents. Mikael Gustafsson (GUE/NGL, Sweden) stressed the importance of this report and of SRHR as a fundamental right of women to decide over their own bodies.

The European Commission representatives from Directorate Generals for Justice, for Development Cooperation as well as for Health and Consumers did not make any comments, as the responsibility of this report within the Commission has not yet been allocated.

The vote on the report in the FEMM Committee will take place on September 18th and the vote in plenary is scheduled for October 22nd.

To listen to the FEMM committee vote please click on:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ep-live/en/committees/video?event=20130902-1545-COMMITTEE-FEMM

Source: nEUws