Kvindernes internationale kampdag kan spores tilbage til de tidlige arbejderbevægelser i 1900-tallet. Det var og er stadig en dag til at mindes kampen og fejre fremskridt hen imod ligestilling mellem kønnene. Europa-Parlamentet er en af de mest aktive fortalere for ligestilling mellem kønnene i EU. Det har vedtaget vigtige beslutninger og love for at beskytte kvinders rettigheder, fremme lige muligheder og bekæmpe forskelsbehandling.

Kvindernes internationale kampdag

EU modtog over 513 000 asylansøgninger i første halvdel af 2024. En tredjedel af asylansøgerne er kvinder og piger. EU's asylsystem indeholder kønssensitive elementer, og EU-Domstolen har anerkendt kønsbaseret vold som en begrundelse for at give asyl. Men selv om der er sket fremskridt, er der stadig behov for en større indsats, hvis vi skal tackle de menneskerettighedsudfordringer, som kvinder og piger står over for i asylsystemet.

Kønsdimensionen i asylansøgninger i EU

Gender-balanced representation among the decision-makers of the European Union is an important step towards full realisation of the principle of equality between women and men enshrined in the EU Treaties. The Union has made steady and significant progress, starting from a very low presence of women among EU Commissioners and Members of the European Parliament at the time when those institutions were created. The European Parliament is today one of the world's most gender-balanced representative assemblies, but there are still significant divergences between EU countries.

EPRS Policy Podcast - Towards gender balance in the European elections: Electoral quotas

Equal pay for equal work is one of the European Union's founding principles, enshrined in Article 157 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). However, the implementation and enforcement of this principle remain a challenge. Due to a lack of pay transparency, pay discrimination often goes undetected and victims face difficulties in making a claim for redress. On 4 March 2021, the European Commission adopted a legislative proposal on binding pay transparency measures. The proposed directive to strengthen the application of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between men and women through pay transparency and enforcement mechanisms focuses on measures to ensure pay transparency, and better access to justice for victims of pay discrimination.

EPRS policy podcast - Equal pay for equal work between men and women: Pay transparency and enforcement mechanisms

Statistics and research results show that in recent decades, before the coronavirus pandemic, the EU's labour market witnessed an increase in female employment rates. Women's employment seems to have been more resilient than men's to the economic and financial crisis in 2008. The coronavirus crisis, however, has had a harsher impact on women than on men when it comes to the labour market.

EPRS policy podcast - Recent trends in female employment

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International Women’s Day is held every year on 8 March. Equality between women and men is one of the objectives of the European Union.

Over time, legislation, case-law and changes to the Treates have helped shore up this principle and its implementation in the EU. The European Parliament has always been a fervent defender of the principle of equality between men and women.

On this occassion, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of Belarus’ democratic forces,&nbsp;Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, a Belarusian opposition activist,&nbsp;Leniie Umerova, a&nbsp;Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar activist&nbsp;and Tata Kepler, a Ukrainian volunteer in military medicine highlighted the ongoing struggles for freedom, justice, and democracy in Belarus and Ukraine, stressing the deep connection between both countries' fates. They called on the EU to maintain strong support for civil society, independent media, and political prisoners, particularly the many women still unjustly detained.Testimonies exposed the brutal realities of occupation, including torture, forced labour, and systematic repression in Russian-controlled territories. The message was clear: only a strong and united Europe can help secure freedom for Belarus and Ukraine, ensuring peace and stability for the entire region.

International Women’s Day

The United Nations defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life."

The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, also known as the Istanbul Convention, is the first legally binding international instrument on this issue. It establishes a comprehensive framework of measures for preventing such violence, supporting victims and punishing perpetrators.&nbsp;

MEPs have voted during May 2023 plenary to approve the European Union’s accession to the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, concluding Parliament’s role in the process. Six years after the EU signed the Istanbul Convention - it has still not been ratified because of the refusal of a few member states, despite&nbsp;Parliament’s multiple calls to this end.

However, the EU&nbsp;Court of Justice’s opinion of 6 October 2021&nbsp;confirmed that the European Union can ratify the Istanbul Convention without having the agreement of all member states. The Court found that the appropriate scope for the EU’s accession is asylum, judicial cooperation in criminal matters, and obligations of the EU institutions and public administration.

The EU’s accession to the Istanbul Convention does not exempt member states from ratifying it themselves, MEPs have repeatedly said, urging the remaining six countries - Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia - to ratify the Convention without delay, so that it can protect women to the full extent of the Convention’s intended scope

Violence against women

Full gender equality is far from being achieved, and this has implications for the lives and life chances of individual women, girls, boys and men, the communities they live in and the EU as a whole. The European Parliament has consistently taken a strong, proactive stance on advancing gender equality, stressing the need to deliver on EU commitments.

The EP´s Committee of Women´s rights and Gender equality (FEMM) is in the heart of these discussions.

Options for further EU involvement could include better implementation and enforcement of existing legislation, moves to modernise it, fill gaps in protection and address emerging issues, and non-legislative measures such as data collection and monitoring, awareness-raising, and support for national and grassroots initiatives.

Promoting equal economic independence for women and men, closing the gender pay gap, advancing gender balance in decision making, ending gender based violence and promoting gender equality beyond the EU are the concrete areas of interest for the EU.

Gender balance

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The right to health, including sexual and reproductive health, is protected internationally.&nbsp;Access to sexual and reproductive healthcare goods and services is a fundamental component of sexual and reproductive rights.

Under international human rights law and standards, European Union Member States should ensure access to safe and quality sexual and reproductive healthcare.

A range of United Nations (UN) treaties ban discrimination in general terms, effectively outlawing discrimination in sexual and reproductive health and rights. These rights include the right to health and the right to family planning, equal access to service, freedom from violence and the right to life. Specific international treaty protections exist to combat discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability but not sexual orientation or gender identity.

At European level, the Council of Europe protects sexual and reproductive health and rights through the European Convention on Human Rights and through the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention).

Sexual and reproductive health and rights

The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, also known as the Istanbul Convention, is the first legally binding international instrument on this issue. It establishes a comprehensive framework of measures for preventing such violence, supporting victims and punishing perpetrators.

The European Parliament first sounded the alarm about the problem of violence against women in a resolution of 11 June 1986. Since then, Parliament has played a particularly important role in the field, including through the work of its Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM). As of October 2020, it has been signed by all EU Member States, and ratified by 21.

Violence against women (2019-2020)

The EU has adopted legislation, issues recommendations, exchanges and good practices and provides funding to support action by Member States. The concepts of EU gender equality policy were shaped by European Court of Justice rulings.

The European Parliament (EP) regularly adopts own initiative reports on gender issues, calling for more efforts to improve gender equality.

The EP has always been very active on achieving equality between men and women and has a standing committee dedicated to women’s rights and gender equality. Every year, Parliament marks International Women’s Day on 8 March and raises awareness by organising events.

Gender balance (2019-2020)

The European Parliament has adopted new rules to allow parents and carers to better reconcile their work and family lives.

The new rules for a better work-life balance, adopted on 4 April 2019, aim to increase the employment rate for women, create incentives for fathers to take family-related leave, and promote gender equality and equal opportunities. Parliament and Council agree on measures to reconcile career and private life:

- Ten working days paternity leave, paid at not less than the level of sick pay

- Two months of non-transferable paid parental leave

- Five days of annual carers’ leave

- Flexible working patterns, including remote working.

#EUelections2019 - Work-life balance

Women in defence, security and peace building. A special meeting of the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality with members of national parliaments and invited panellists – including women in leadership roles in the military, academics, and activists – is scheduled in the run-up to the International Women's Day (8 March). The meeting will include introductory remarks by the European Commissioner for Equality, Hadja Lahbib, and will focus on 'Strengthening the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda – Upholding Women's Rights in Defence, Security, and Peacebuilding. (Thursday) A media seminar is organised on Wednesday afternoon, with EP President Roberta Metsola, MEPs, and guests from Ukraine, Israel, Palestine and international organisations.

Inter-parliamentary committee meeting on "Strengthening the Women on the occasion of the International Women's Day 2025

FEMM.- Presentation by EIGE (European Institute for Gender Equality) of the Gender Equality Index

Find out about the economic inequalities that continue to persist between women and men in the EU.

It has been more than 25 years since the adoption of the UN’s Beijing Declaration, which aims to promote equality between men and women. The same goal lies behind the creation of UN Women - dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women - and the inclusion of gender equality in the Sustainable Development Goals.
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So where do we stand? Progress has been made, but inequality between men and women persists, including on the labour market. On average, women in the EU are paid less than men.

Gender pay gap in Europe: facts and figures

SANT- Exchange of views with Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality on gender aspects of the health portfolio

AGRI - Exchange of Views on Gender equality and diversity : challenges for farming and food”, organised in the framework of the Gender Equality Week 2024

FEMM.- Securing Gender Equality and Women's Rights in the Digital Sphere

EMPL Meeting - Gender Equality Week: Ensuring gender equality in the labour market: addressing the gender pay gap and the ‘sticky floor’

EP Plenary session - Urgent need to tackle the gender pay gap

High Level Group on Gender Equality and Diversity Constitutive meeting

EP Plenary session - Oral question - The EU priorities for the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

EP Plenary session - Gender aspects of the rising cost of living and the impact of the energy crisis

Practicing What We Preach - Gender Equality in the EP management

TRAN - Exchange of views on ' Women in Transport '

FEMM Committee - Exchange of views on pay transparency, gender pay gap and pension gap with Commissioner Dalli

FEMM Committee - Presentation by EIGE (European Institute for Gender Equality) of the Gender Equality Index

ECON FEMM - Women in Economics and Finance: Debate on the next challenges in the EU

FEMM Committee - Situation of Women in Belarus

FEMM AFCO joint meeting : Elect her – how to support women's political participation

BUD CONT - Joint exchange of views on gender mainstreaming in the EU budget

EP Plenary session - Equal pay for equal work between men and women (pay transparency and enforcement mechanisms)

In a draft report to be debated on Monday and put to a vote on Wednesday, MEPs call on member states to take practical measures to ensure that women have equal access to the labour market, with equal pay and equal labour rights.

Equality between women and men in the European Union in 2018-2020: MEPs debate

MEPs call on member states to take practical measures to ensure that women have equal access to the labour market, with equal pay and equal labour rights. Opening statements by Sandra PEREIRA (The Left, PT) rapporteur and by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

Equality between women and men in the European Union in 2018-2020: opening statements by Sandra PEREIRA (The Left, PT) rapporteur and by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

Following the success of the first edition, launched by the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee in October 2020, the European Parliament is holding a second European Gender Equality Week from 25 to 28 October. The Members of the Committee for Economic and Monetary Affairs encourage progress and change in EU politics as well as financial and economic governance.

Women in Finance and Economics: Statements by members of the EP Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

The European Parliament hold the second European Gender Equality Week from 25 to 28 October. Several parliamentary committees and delegations organise sessions addressing gender equality issues in their policy areas. Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), Chair of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality explain the gender equality issues in the various policy areas.

Gender equality week: statement by Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), FEMM Committee Chair - atmosphere shots of the EP Committees

Fishing is often seen as a male activity, especially when it comes to working on board fishing vessels and involving long absences at sea. However, women play an important role in the fisheries sector, especially in small-scale family businesses. Either they are involved in the fishing activity itself, on board or on foot as shellfish gatherers, or they support the business through on-shore activities such as fishing gear preparation and maintenance, transporting fish to auctions, sales, administration, logistics or even the development of tourist activities. This work is not always recognised. According to a study for the European Commission, the share of unpaid women in fisheries (6.6 %) is almost double their share in total employment (3.8 %). However, this level of employment is an underestimate, as women who are not actively engaged on board fishing vessels are often not visible in the official statistics.

EPRS - Women in EU fisheries

During the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on promoting gender equality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers: opening statement by Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ (Renew, ES), rapporteur and by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Promoting gender equality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers: opening statements by Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ (Renew, ES), rapporteur and by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

During the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on promoting gender equality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers.

Promoting gender equality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers: MEPs debate

During the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on promoting gender equality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers: opening statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

Promoting gender equality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers: closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

During the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Monika VANA (Greens/EFA, AT), Rapporteur, gives her short presentation of the report. Reply by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries.

The gender dimension in Cohesion Policy: short presentation of the report The gender dimension in Cohesion Policy by Monika VANA (Greens/EFA, AT), Rapporteur

Members of the EP Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) and Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) participate in a hearing on the Commission proposal for a Pay Transparency Directive in the European Parliament in Brussels. Extracts and statement by Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ (Renew, ES)

The Commission proposal for a Pay Transparency Directive: extracts from the hearing and statement by Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ (Renew, ES)

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (08-11 March 2021), MEPs celebrate the International Women's Day during a debate in the presence of David SASSOLI, EP President, Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission and Evelyn REGNER (S&D,AT), Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM). Video message by Kamala HARRIS, Vice-President of the United States and Jacinda ARDERN, Prime Minister of New Zealand.

International Women's Day Celebration: ambiance shots prior to the plenary session

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs celebrate the International Women's Day during a debate. Pre-recorded video message by Jacinda ARDERN, Prime Minister of New Zealand. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

International Women's Day Celebration: Video message by Jacinda ARDERN, Prime Minister of New Zealand

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (08-11 March 2021), MEPs celebrate the International Women's Day during a debate. Speech by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission in the chamber. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

International Women's Day Celebration: Statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs celebrate the International Women's Day during a debate. Opening statement by David SASSOLI, EP President. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

International Women's Day Celebration: Opening statement by David SASSOLI, EP President

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs celebrate the International Women's Day during a debate. Pre-recorded video message by Kamala HARRIS, the first female Vice President of the United States. She focussed on the many challenges facing women during the crisis. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

International Women's Day Celebration: Video message by Kamala HARRIS, Vice-President of the United States

David SASSOLI, EP President, and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, open the event marking the International Women’s day during an inter-parliamentary meeting organised by the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), in collaboration with the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments. The event is hosted by Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), FEMM Chair. "Women on the frontlines, lessons learnt from the crisis management".

FEMM - International Women Day 2021 - We are strong: Women leading the fight against Covid-19: Panel "Women on the frontlines, lessons learnt from the crisis management"

David SASSOLI, EP President, and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, open the event marking the International Women’s day during an inter-parliamentary meeting organised by the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), in collaboration with the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments. The event is hosted by Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), FEMM Chair. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

FEMM - International Women Day 2021 - We are strong: Women leading the fight against Covid-19: opening statements by David SASSOLI, EP President, Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commisson, and Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), FEMM Chair

David SASSOLI, EP President, and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, open the event marking the International Women’s day during an inter-parliamentary meeting organised by the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), in collaboration with the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments. The event is hosted by Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), FEMM Chair. Closing words by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality and by Evelyn REGNER (S&D,AT), FEMM Chair

FEMM - International Women Day 2021 - We are strong: Women leading the fight against Covid-19: Closing words by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality and by Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), FEMM Chair

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