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

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

<center>Image: ©sibway/AdobeStock</center>

 

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 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)

Four women fighting for freedom, peace and justice in their home countries – from Belarus, leader of the country's democratic forces Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and Palina Sharenda Panasiuk; and Lenie Umerova and Tata Kepler from Ukraine – have all been invited to address plenary., Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of Belarus’ democratic forces, 

will speak to MEPs at a solemn session on Tuesday at noon. 

In the early afternoon, MEPs and Council and Commission representatives will debate the Commission’s “Roadmap for Women’s Rights” (expected to be adopted by the Commission on Friday 7 March). The discussion is expected to focus on the EU’s role in safeguarding and advancing women’s rights and the principles and measures outlined in the Roadmap. Key issues will include the implementation of EU legislation, such as the first ever EU rules to combat violence against women, the rules on improving gender balance on corporate boards, and binding pay transparency measures. MEPs are also likely to discuss the need for women’s equal participation in the economy and society, including in politics, and the impact of shifting political dynamics on women’s rights and gender equality.

International Women's Day Celebration

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

Ivana Andrés and Alba Redondo from the Spanish women’s national football team address MEPs.

To mark International Women’s Day, captain of the Spanish women’s football team Ivana Andrés and Alba Redondo, captain for club Levante, addresses MEPs,  followed by a round of political group speakers. Spain won the World Cup in 2023 for the first time, but the trophy presentation was marred by harassment. 

On the same day at around 10.30, , MEPs discuss whether Parliament should give its consent to Council for member states to ratify the International Labour Organization’s Convention on Violence and Harassment. The convention is the first international treaty to recognise the right to work free from violence and harassment.

Plenary Debate -  Parliament marks International Women’s Day (8 March)

EP Plenary session - Roadmap for Women`s Rights

EP Plenary session - defence - Roadmap for Women`s Rights

EPP members of  FEMM committee and guests of  the International Women's Day family photo

EP Plenary session International Women's Day Celebration

Members of the EP Conference of Presidents meet with  Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Leader of Belarusian democratic opposition forces

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with the guests of  the International Women's Day

International Women’s Day 2025 - FEMM Inter-parliamentary Committee ' Strengthening the Women, Peace and Security Agenda – Upholding Women’s Rights in Defence, Security and Peace Building '

International Women's day 2024 event by DG PERS

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

MEPs and Council and Commission representatives debate the Commission’s “Roadmap for Women’s Rights”. The discussion focuses on the EU’s role in safeguarding and advancing women’s rights and the principles and measures outlined in the Roadmap. Closing statements by Roxana MÎNZATU, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, and Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs

Roadmap for Women`s Rights: closing statements by Roxana MÎNZATU, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, and Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs

MEPs and Council and Commission representatives debate the Commission’s “Roadmap for Women’s Rights”. The discussion focuses on the EU’s role in safeguarding and advancing women’s rights and the principles and measures outlined in the Roadmap. MEPs debate (part 2)

Roadmap for Women`s Rights: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs and Council and Commission representatives debate the Commission’s “Roadmap for Women’s Rights”. The discussion focuses on the EU’s role in safeguarding and advancing women’s rights and the principles and measures outlined in the Roadmap. MEPs debate (part 1)

Roadmap for Women`s Rights: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs and Council and Commission representatives debate the Commission’s “Roadmap for Women’s Rights”. The discussion focuses on the EU’s role in safeguarding and advancing women’s rights and the principles and measures outlined in the Roadmap. Opening statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, and Roxana MÎNZATU, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Roadmap for Women`s Rights: opening statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, and Roxana MÎNZATU, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness

MEPs celebrate International Women’s Day (8 March) at a special event in the Strasbourg hemicycle. Four women fighting for freedom, peace and justice in their home countries – Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Leader of Belarusian democratic opposition forces, Palina SHARENDA-PANASIUK, released Belarusian Political Prisoner, Leniie UMEROVA, Released Crimean Tatar Political Prisoner, Tata KEPLER, Ukrainian Volunteer and Humanitarian Activist – have all been invited to address plenary. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

International Women’s Day: speeches by Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Palina SHARENDA-PANASIUK, Leniie UMEROVA and Tata KEPLER

MEPs celebrate International Women’s Day (8 March) at a special event in the Strasbourg hemicycle. Roberta METSOLA, EP President, makes an opening speech during the event. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

International Women’s Day: opening speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

The European Parliament marks International Women’s Day (8 March). Four women fighting for freedom, peace and justice in their home countries – from Belarus, leader of the country's democratic forces Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and Palina Sharenda Panasiuk; and Lenie Umerova and Tata Kepler from Ukraine – have all been invited to address plenary.

International Women's Day Celebration: arrival of Belarusian and Ukrainian political activists and released prisoners and meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Parliament authorities

MEPs celebrate International Women’s Day (8 March) at a special event in the Strasbourg hemicycle. Four women fighting for freedom, peace and justice in their home countries – from Belarus, leader of the country's democratic forces Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and Palina Sharenda Panasiuk; and Lenie Umerova and Tata Kepler from Ukraine – have all been invited to address plenary.

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