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

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.

Advancing women’s rights in the EU: meet Stella and Linda (VT)

Advancing women’s rights in the EU: meet Stella and Linda (INTER)

The European Parliament, the only directly elected EU institution, is the beating heart of European democracy! 

It represents the interests of EU citizens.  

MEPs debate, amend and pass laws which have a direct impact on the lives of some 450 million Europeans.  

Find out more about how the European Parliament works!

How the European Parliament works -  VT EE24

How the European Parliament works - 4-5 EE24

How the European Parliament works -16:9 EE24

The European Parliament awarded Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran with the 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought at a special ceremony in Strasbourg.  
       
Jina Mahsa Amini, an Iranian-Kurdish woman, died in 2022 at the hands of Iran’s so-called morality police. They said she broke strict hijab rules. Her death sparked protests in Iran and around the world.        
       
MEPs continue to stand with the women of Iran in their struggle for freedom and equality.

European Parliament honours Jina Mahsa Amini and Woman, Life, Freedom

The European Parliament has awarded the 2023 Sakharov Prize to Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom protest movement in Iran. Parliament stands with Iranian women who continue to fight for their rights and for equality and democracy. 

Amini was a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman. She was arrested by Iran’s "morality police" for allegedly ignoring Iran’s strict veiling laws. She died three days later following physical violence while in custody. 

When the news of her death broke in September 2022, spontaneous demonstrations erupted across the country, under the rallying cry Woman, Life, Freedom. People around the world marched in solidarity.

Sakharov Prize 2023: Jina Mahsa Amini and Woman, Life, Freedom in Iran - VT

The European Parliament has awarded the 2023 Sakharov Prize to Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom protest movement in Iran. Parliament stands with Iranian women who continue to fight for their rights and for equality and democracy.       
       
Amini was a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman. She was arrested by Iran’s "morality police" for allegedly ignoring Iran’s strict veiling laws. She died three days later following physical violence while in custody.   
      
When the news of her death broke in September 2022, spontaneous demonstrations erupted across the country, under the rallying cry Woman, Life, Freedom. People around the world marched in solidarity.

Gender equality

Videos

Advancing women’s rights in the EU: meet Stella and Linda (VT)

Advancing women’s rights in the EU: meet Stella and Linda (INTER)

How the European Parliament works - VT EE24

How the European Parliament works - 4-5 EE24

How the European Parliament works -16:9 EE24

European Parliament honours Jina Mahsa Amini and Woman, Life, Freedom

Sakharov Prize 2023: Jina Mahsa Amini and Woman, Life, Freedom in Iran - VT

Sakharov Prize 2023: Jina Mahsa Amini and Woman, Life, Freedom in Iran

Photos

EP Plenary session - Ensuring European transportation works for women

EP Plenary session - Ensuring European transportation works for women

EP Plenary session - Ensuring European transportation works for women

EP Plenary session - Ensuring European transportation works for women

EP Plenary session - Ensuring European transportation works for women

EP Plenary session - Ensuring European transportation works for women

EP Plenary session - Ensuring European transportation works for women

EP Plenary session - Ensuring European transportation works for women

Photosets

EP Plenary session - Ensuring European transportation works for women

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

Audios

Infographics

Gender pay gap in Europe: facts and figures

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