Page 12 - BPW-UK - E-news - Edition 104 - July 2022

Giuseppina Bombaci Speaks
on

Brief History & Achievements of BPW Europe
YouTube #bpweuropeconference2022

Guiseppina Bombaci and the Girl Child video

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rUNntgBX9W0
THE GIRL CHILD:
Introduction to Link: Guiseppina Bombaci speaking about the success of BPW Europe.

During this presentation, Guiseppina speaks of one of the most successful projects conduct-
ed in BPW Europe and one in which she was largely instrumental, which in fact was initiated
originally by a UK project.

After Beijing, as then President of BPW UK, I became part of a Study Group on “The Girl
Child in the UK” which did extensive work with the Women’s National Commission, then
our Government-sponsored umbrella organisation, and with BPW UK and BPW International.

At a BPW European Congress held in Reykjavik in 1997, I chaired a Panel Session where
speakers from a number of European member countries talked about the status of the Girl
Child at that time in their respective countries. We drafted and agreed a document enti-
tled “A Girl’s Bill of Rights” to carry forward and use for our advocacy work in Europe.

In May 1998 the Turin, Italy club set up five study groups and made an initial preliminary
report on the Female Child in Italy.

At that same time. the Italian Minister of Social Solidarity launched a new Italian Bill on
“Provisions for the promotion of rights and opportunities for children and teenagers” which
mentioned for the first time “The Female Child” instead of the former term of “minors”.

In Italy, following the work of BPW Italy (FIDAPA) more than 900 Municipalities, 10 Regions
and 3 Universities have adopted the New Charter of the Girl’s Rights, updated from the
original charter which came out of the European Congress in Reykjavik.

The Italian Federation, FIDAPA, as well as other countries in the Mediterranean area have
maintained a key interest in The Girl Child with the Charter being acknowledged by the
European Parliament. They are to be congratulated for all their work.

“The Girl Child” was also the subject of a book written by the Women’s National Commis-
sion and some of its member organizations. It was entitled “Growing Up Female in the UK”
and the then President of BPW UK appears as an author.

Janice Bancroft

Past President, 1995-97