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

While steps have been taken over the past century to improve prospects for women and girls in science across the world, there is still a lot left to do. The global health crisis has put equalities at risk and slowed progress on a number of fronts. This podcast celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science and looks at how women have contributed to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, while also being among those hit hardest by the health crisis.

Women in healthcare: COVID-19 and rising inequalities - EN

EP Plenary session - Ensuring European transportation works for women

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

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

EP Plenary Session - Promoting gender equality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers

EP Plenary Session - Women in politics - combating online abuse

- Simone Veil Award 2020 for Equality and Diversity - LINNUS, Leena - TEASDALE, Anthony

FEMM - Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality - Presentation by Carlien Scheele, Director of EIGE, on the Gender Equality Index 2020

#Girl2Leader Campaign event - International Day of the Girl- Conversation on Leadership with MEPs

FEMM Committee meeting. Hearing on Gender Equality in the Media Sector in the EU

Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament shares her thoughts about Parliament’s commitment to gender equality

Parliament’s President on gender equality

Lina Gálvez, the chair of Parliament’s women’s rights committee, talks about recent legislation and the programme of the European Gender Equality Week in 2024.

Gender equality: the issues today – Lina Gálvez (S&D, ES)

Antonella Sberna, European Parliament vice-president, invites you to find out what Parliament is doing to ensure gender equality across the EU.

Gender equality: the way forward - Antonella SBERNA (ECR, IT)

Pakistani girls' rights activist Malala Yousafzai addressed the European Parliament about the importance of education in low-income countries. She made the speech accepting the 2013 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

* Watch the full speech on the European Parliament's Multimedia Centre: http://epyoutube.eu/q5wV

Malala Yousafzai speech on education | European Parliament

Peace Nobel Prize winner Denis Mukwege speaks out against the use of rape and violence towards women as a weapon of war.
He is the founder of the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo. As a gynaecologist, he helped thousands of women victims of sexual and gender-based violence in his country.
In 2014, the European Parliament awarded him the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought for his work. Four years later, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. He continues to raise public awareness on the issue of sexual violence against women during armed conflicts.

* Watch the full speech on the European Parliament's Multimedia Centre: http://epyoutube.eu/SpeechMukwege

Dr Denis Mukwege speech on sexual violence in Congo | European Parliament

For Simone Veil, a Holocaust survivor, the creation of the European Union is the most important event in the last 50 years.
 
In 1995, on the 50th anniversary of the Holocaust, Veil explained to the European Parliament how the tragedies of her past forged her faith in the European project.
 
She said it was important to remind the younger generation of the European Union’s key role in fostering peace and unity, especially whilst the EU was being criticised.
 
Born in France in 1927, Veil survived the Nazi concentration camps and went on to play a pivotal role in European feminism and politics. In 1979, she became the first President of the directly-elected European Parliament and was the first woman to preside over the assembly.
 
 
* Watch the full speech (12 minutes) on the European Parliament's Multimedia Centre: http://epyoutube.eu/SpeechVeil

Simone Veil speech on lessons from the Holocaust | European Parliament

Reaching gender equality, protecting victims of gender-based violence and fighting for a fairer society… Across the EU, organisations are working to defend and promote women’s rights.
     
Stella at Women on Top, in Athens, proposes workshops for female entrepreneurs to feel empowered at work and in life. She and her team ensure women are properly skilled, independent and confident.
 
Linda at MARTA Centre, in Riga, is working towards the eradication of gender-based violence and human trafficking. They offer psychological and legal consultations for victims.
    
The European Parliament is acting to defend women’s rights, from ending unequal pay to eliminating gender-based discrimination. EU funds, like Erasmus+, the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and European Women on Boards support projects that empower women across the EU.

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