The European Union has come a long way in ensuring more equality between men and women, but challenges remain. With its gender equality strategy, the EU aims to call time on unfair conditions for women and achieve a more stable society that improves everyone’s lives.

Closing the gender gap in the EU

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

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.

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. 2&nbsp;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 five&nbsp;countries - Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, 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)

To mark International Women’s Day, on Tuesday MEPs hear the testimony of Jackie Fox, who campaigns in memory of her daughter, a victim of cyberbullying, followed by one round of political group speakers.

Since her daughter’s death by suicide in 2018 following online bullying, Jackie Fox has campaigned tirelessly for stronger protection for victims. She advocated for the introduction of “Coco’s Law” in Ireland. This legislation makes it an offence to share or threaten to share intimate images on digital devices without consent. It also criminalises severe online bullying.

MEPs are also expected to react to the new EU gender equality strategy, presented on 5 March 2026 by the Commission. The European Parliament adopted a resolution in November 2025 to provide input for the Commission’s strategy.

Closing the gender pay gap

In a separate debate on Monday afternoon, MEPs will review progress on addressing the gender pay and pension gaps in the EU. The own-initiative report to be put to a plenary vote on Wednesday highlights the fact that women continue to carry out a disproportionate share of unpaid care and domestic work. This in turn reduces their labour market participation and pension accrual and is one of the main reasons for the gender pay and pension gaps.

EP Plenary debate on International Women's Day 2026

The European Parliament's building in Strasbourg lights up in orange for the International Day for the Elimination of violence against Women. For the occasion an Orange flag will be put in front of the European Parliament buildings, and the EP building in Strasbourg is lit up with orange lights.

International Day for the Elimination of violence against Women - "Orange the world"

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 - International Women's Day Celebration

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Jackie FOX, Coco's Law campaigner

International Women’s Day - Tackling violence against women: the European Parliament’s approach

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

Interrnational 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 the world ', UN campaign to end violence against women and girls. European Parliament building in Strasbourg lights up in orange

EP Plenary session - Combating violence against women and girls, including the exploitation of motherhood

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

Broadcasting a video clip in the hemicycle on the occasion of the International Women’s Day Celebration. This transcription if the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

International Women’s Day: Video-Clip

To mark International Women’s Day (8/3/2026), MEPs hear the testimony of Jackie FOX, who campaigns in memory of her daughter, a victim of cyberbullying. This news item presents extracts from the celebration in the Chamber, extracts from the address to the hemicycle and from the meeting between President Roberta METSOLA and Jackie FOX.

International Women's Day 2026: extracts from the meeting between Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Jackie FOX, "Coco's Law" campaigner and extracts from the address to the plenary

In this interview, Jackie Fox describes how her daughter Nicole ("Coco") endured 3.5 years of brutal bullying—physical assaults and online death threats—after a jealous rival targeted her. When Nicole took her own life at 21, Jackie campaigned for "Coco’s Law", making online harassment a criminal offence in Ireland.

Fight against cyberbullying: statement by Jackie FOX, Nicole's Mother and Campaigner for Coco's Law

Online threats, cyber violence and disinformation, including deepfakes and AI‑generated content, contribute to broader pressures on democracy by undermining trust and can silence voices, including women’s by restraining their freedom of expression. Violence targeting women in politics leads to under‑representation. The EU and the European Parliament in particular, has recognised the seriousness of such phenomena and reinforces its efforts to support women in their efforts to overcome these serious obstacles to political participation. This infoclip illustrates women and young girls browsing through social media platforms, journalists verifying information using online tools, female journalists preparing and recording or broadcasting shows for various media and female leaders and politicians acting in their official capacities in different occasions/ events.

Infoclip: Women’s Rights - Combating Disinformation and Violence in the Digital Age

Henna VIRKKUNEN, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy and Marilena RAOUNA, Deputy Minister for European Affairs (Cyprus), close the debate. Parliament call for stronger and faster enforcement of EU laws to prevent AI tools from creating illegal sexual content. The debate with Council and Commission follows the latest scandal related to reports the social media platform X is facilitating the creation of sexually explicit images of women and children through its AI chatbot Grok. In recent weeks, the platform has been subjected to international condemnation, with several governments banning the platform and others launching investigations into this so-called “pornification” feature putting women and minors at risk of abuse.

Tackling AI deepfakes and sexual exploitation on social media: closing statements by Henna VIRKKUNEN, European Commissioner for Tech Sovereignty Security and Democracy and Marilena RAOUNA, Deputy Minister for European Affairs European Union (Cyprus)

MEPs debate on tackling AI deepfakes and sexual exploitation on social media. Parliament call for stronger and faster enforcement of EU laws to prevent AI tools from creating illegal sexual content. The debate with Council and Commission follows the latest scandal related to reports the social media platform X is facilitating the creation of sexually explicit images of women and children through its AI chatbot Grok. In recent weeks, the platform has been subjected to international condemnation, with several governments banning the platform and others launching investigations into this so-called “pornification” feature putting women and minors at risk of abuse.

Tackling AI deepfakes and sexual exploitation on social media: MEPs debate (part 2)

Tackling AI deepfakes and sexual exploitation on social media: MEPs debate (part 1)

Marilena RAOUNA, Deputy Minister for European Affairs (Cyprus) and Henna VIRKKUNEN, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, open the debate. Parliament call for stronger and faster enforcement of EU laws to prevent AI tools from creating illegal sexual content. The debate with Council and Commission follows the latest scandal related to reports the social media platform X is facilitating the creation of sexually explicit images of women and children through its AI chatbot Grok. In recent weeks, the platform has been subjected to international condemnation, with several governments banning the platform and others launching investigations into this so-called “pornification” feature putting women and minors at risk of abuse. This transcription if the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Tackling AI deepfakes and sexual exploitation on social media: opening statements by Marilena RAOUNA, Deputy Minister for European Affairs European Union (Cyprus) and Henna VIRKKUNEN, European Commissioner for Tech Sovereignty Security and Democracy

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