Міжнародний жіночий день відзначається щорічно 8 березня, щоб вшанувати досягнення жінок і привернути увагу до прав жінок. Це нагода підвищити рівень обізнаності про такі питання, як гендерна рівність, репродуктивні права, боротьба з насильством та жорстоким поводженням з жінками. Рівність між жінками і чоловіками завжди була однією з основних цінностей і цілей Європейського Союзу, але поставлена мета все ще не досягнута повністю.

Як ЄС бореться за права жінок

International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8 to recognise women’s achievements and shine a spotlight on women’s rights. It is an occasion to raise awareness of issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and the fight against violence and abuse towards women. Equality between women and men has always been one of the European Union’s core values and objectives, but this goal has still not been fully achieved.

EU’s fight for women’s rights

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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

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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)

MEPs discuss the state of play and emerging trends in the combat against violence against women within the EU and internationally. On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November), MEPs highlight the persistence of gender-based violence across the world and call on the new Commission to act. They underscore the need to fully implement existing EU legislation and stand firm in the face of a growing backlash against gender equality and women’s rights.  

In April 2024, the European Parliament approved the first ever EU rules on combating violence against women and domestic violence. Member states have until 14 June 2027 to make the necessary changes in their national legislation. With support from the European Parliament, on 1 October 2023 the EU joined the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

MEPs engage with the Commission to address the urgent need to combat gender-based violence in Europe. Amid ongoing high-profile trials in Italy and France related to violent crimes against women, discussions will likely emphasize the importance of establishing a common EU definition of consent. MEPs are also expected to request an update on the implementation of the recently adopted EU directive aimed at enhancing protections for victims and preventing violence, particularly domestic violence.

The new legislation includes provisions to prohibit female genital mutilation and forced marriage, along with measures targeting online offenses. With a commitment to prioritizing equality, MEPs will urge the Commission to ensure effective transposition of these rules across member states, highlighting the necessity for accessible healthcare, sheltered accommodations for victims, and enhanced public awareness campaigns regarding consent and non-consensual acts.

Need to fight the systematic problem of gender based violence in Europe

EP Plenary session - Use of rape as weapon of war, in particular in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan

EP Plenary session - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Interrnational Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women - ' Orange your world ', UN campaign to end violence against women and girls. European Parliament building in Strasbourg lights up in orange

Interrnational Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women - ' Orange your world ', UN campaign to end violence against women and girls. Orange flag displayed outside the EP building in Brussels and Strasbourg.

EP Plenary session - Need to fight the systematic problem of gender based violence in Europe

EP Plenary session - Combating violence against women and domestic violence

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

Press conference Chair on Violence against women

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women - ' Orange your world ', UN campaign to end violence against women and girls. Orange flag flown outside the EP building in Brussels

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women - ' Orange your world ', UN campaign to end violence against women and girls. Orange flag flown outside the EP building in Strasbourg.

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - International day for the elimination of violence against women

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144) Latest attacks against women, women's rights defenders in Iran, and its arbitrary detention of EU nationals

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Violence and discrimination in the world of sports after the FIFA Women’s World Cup

Trilogue on violence against women

Press conference on combating violence against women and domestic violence

LIBE/FEMM vote on combating violence against women and domestic violence

Press conference on the EU ratification of Istanbul Convention on combating violence against women

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - EU accession to the Istanbul Convention on violence against women

MEPs discuss on Monday the state of play and emerging trends in the combat against violence against women within the EU and internationally. On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November), MEPs highlight the persistence of gender-based violence across the world and call on the new Commission to act. They underscore the need to fully implement existing EU legislation and stand firm in the face of a growing backlash against gender equality and women’s rights.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: MEPs Debate part 2

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: MEPs Debate part 1

This news item shows extracts from the MEPs debate on the state of play and emerging trends in the combat against violence against women within the EU and internationally on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November). MEPs highlight the persistence of gender-based violence across the world and call on the new Commission to act. They underscore the need to fully implement existing EU legislation and stand firm in the face of a growing backlash against gender equality and women’s rights. In April 2024, the European Parliament approved the first ever EU rules on combating violence against women and domestic violence. Member states have until 14 June 2027 to make the necessary changes in their national legislation.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: extracts from the debate

The European Parliament's building in Strasbourg lights up in orange for the International Day for the Elimination of violence against Women.Orange flag in front of the European Parliament buildings.

International Day for the Elimination of violence against Women: orange flags and lights at the European Parliament in Strasbourg

Closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality, on the "Need to fight the systematic problem of gender based violence in Europe" debate. MEPs engage with the Commission to address the urgent need to combat gender-based violence in Europe. Amid ongoing high-profile trials in Italy and France related to violent crimes against women, discussions will likely emphasize the importance of establishing a common EU definition of consent. MEPs request an update on the implementation of the recently adopted EU directive aimed at enhancing protections for victims and preventing violence, particularly domestic violence. The new legislation includes provisions to prohibit female genital mutilation and forced marriage, along with measures targeting online offenses.

Need to fight the systematic problem of gender based violence in Europe: Closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

MEPs engage with the Commission to address the urgent need to combat gender-based violence in Europe. Amid ongoing high-profile trials in Italy and France related to violent crimes against women, discussions will likely emphasize the importance of establishing a common EU definition of consent. MEPs request an update on the implementation of the recently adopted EU directive aimed at enhancing protections for victims and preventing violence, particularly domestic violence. The new legislation includes provisions to prohibit female genital mutilation and forced marriage, along with measures targeting online offenses.

Need to fight the systematic problem of gender based violence in Europe: MEPs debate

Opening statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality, on the "Need to fight the systematic problem of gender based violence in Europe" debate. MEPs engage with the Commission to address the urgent need to combat gender-based violence in Europe. Amid ongoing high-profile trials in Italy and France related to violent crimes against women, discussions will likely emphasize the importance of establishing a common EU definition of consent. MEPs request an update on the implementation of the recently adopted EU directive aimed at enhancing protections for victims and preventing violence, particularly domestic violence. The new legislation includes provisions to prohibit female genital mutilation and forced marriage, along with measures targeting online offenses. Opening statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Need to fight the systematic problem of gender based violence in Europe: Opening statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

After the deal reached between the Parliament and the Council, MEPs debate on Tuesday and vote on Wednesday on the first EU rules on combating violence against women and domestic violence. The new directive will prohibit forced marriage and female genital mutilation and have specific rules on cybercrimes, such as cyber-flashing and cyber-stalking. Victims will have improved access to justice and to healthcare, including sexual and reproductive services, while the legislation will include provisions to prevent rape. Closing statements by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality, Evin INCIR (S&D, SE) and Frances FITZGERALD (EPP, IE), Rapporteurs

EP Plenary session - Combating violence against women and domestic violence: Closing statements by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality, Evin INCIR (S&D, SE) and Frances FITZGERALD (EPP, IE), Rapporteurs

The new rules aim to prevent rape and raise awareness on consent, while female genital mutilation and forced marriage are included as crimes under EU law. After the deal reached between the Parliament and the Council, MEPs debate on Tuesday and vote on Wednesday on the first EU rules on combating violence against women and domestic violence. The new directive prohibits forced marriage and female genital mutilation and have specific rules on cybercrimes, such as cyber-flashing and cyber-stalking. Victims improves access to justice and to healthcare, including sexual and reproductive services, while the legislation will include provisions to prevent rape.

Combatting violence against women and domestic violence: extracts from the debate (23.04) and from the vote (24.04)

After the deal reached between the Parliament and the Council, MEPs debate on Tuesday and vote on Wednesday on the first EU rules on combating violence against women and domestic violence. The new directive will prohibit forced marriage and female genital mutilation and have specific rules on cybercrimes, such as cyber-flashing and cyber-stalking. Victims will have improved access to justice and to healthcare, including sexual and reproductive services, while the legislation will include provisions to prevent rape. MEPs debate.

EP Plenary session - Combating violence against women and domestic violence: MEPs debate

After the deal reached between the Parliament and the Council, MEPs debate on Tuesday and vote on Wednesday on the first EU rules on combating violence against women and domestic violence. The new directive will prohibit forced marriage and female genital mutilation and have specific rules on cybercrimes, such as cyber-flashing and cyber-stalking. Victims will have improved access to justice and to healthcare, including sexual and reproductive services, while the legislation will include provisions to prevent rape. Opening statements by by Evin INCIR (S&D, SE), Frances FITZGERALD (EPP, IE), Rapporteurs, Rosa ESTARÀS FERRAGUT (EPP, ES), EMPL Committee, Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality, Alexandra GEESE (Greens/EFA, DE), BUDG Committee, and by Manon AUBRY (The Left, FR), JURI Committee. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EP Plenary session - Combating violence against women and domestic violence: Opening statements by Evin INCIR (S&D, SE), Frances FITZGERALD (EPP, IE), Rapporteurs, Rosa ESTARÀS FERRAGUT, Helena DALLI, Alexandra GEESE, Manon AUBRY

This infoclip illustrates International women's day with women practicing sport in a competition level, and mixed teenagers' team. This infoclip illustrates also women at work today in different sector, agriculture, medical organisation, electronic technicians, scientists, board, television production. The annual inter-parliamentary committee meeting marking International Women’s Day (8 March) brings together MEPs and national MPs to discuss gender equality and women’s rights. This year’s theme is women in sport.

Infoclip: International women's day - women in sport

During her visit to Malta, the President of the European Parliament visits a Residential Care Home managed by Fondazzjoni Sebh. This foundation provides residential services to children, female survivors of violence and their children, as well as a community service offering support to individuals and families.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Malta: Visit to a residential care home managed by Fondazzjoni Sebh in Hamrun

Press conference by Frances FITZGERALD (EPP, IE) and Evin INCIR (S&D, SE), Co-Rapporteurs, Robert BIEDROŃ (S&D, PL), Chair of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) and Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Chair of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) on Violence Against Women Directive. The legislation has the goal to enshrine minimum standards in EU law for criminalising certain forms of gender-based violence, improve access to justice, protection and support for victims, ensure coordination between relevant services, and prevent these types of crime. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Frances FITZGERALD (EPP, IE), Evin INCIR (S&D, SE), Robert BIEDROŃ (S&D, PL) and Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES) on Violence Against Women

The Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) meet for a trialogue with the Commission and the Council on Violence Against Women in the European Parliament during the plenary session in Strasbourg

Violence Against Women trialogue negotiations with the Council: arrival and roundtable

Roberta METSOLA, EP President is in Malta. She pays tribute to Paulina Dembska, laying wreath on murder site in Sliema. Paulina Dembska, a Polish student, was killed in Independence Gardens on January 2, 2022.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta: lays wreath on Paulina Dembska's murder site, Sliema

Frances FITZGERALD (EPP, IE), and Evin INCIR (S&D, SE), Rapporteurs, hold a press conference on the Violence against women - update on the state of negotiations by the negotiators. This transcription is a result of an authomatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Frances FITZGERALD (EPP, IE), Evin INCIR (S&D, SE) rapporteurs and other lead MEP's on the Violence against women - update on the state of negotiations by the negotiators

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the highest tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work. It gives recognition to individuals, groups and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to protecting freedom of thought. Through the prize and its associated network the EU assists laureates, who are supported and empowered in their efforts to defend their causes. This year, the award goes to Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran. This news item shows extracts from the statement by the laurate during the Sakharov Prize 2023 ceremony.

Award of the 2023 Sakharov Prize: statements by Afsoon Najafi and Mersedeh Shahinkar representing Woman, Life, Freedom Movement, Sakharov Prize 2023 laureates

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