8 March is International Women’s day! For decades, the European Parliament has been fighting for women’s rights. From equal pay to protection against domestic violence, MEPs are working to keep women at the centre of European policy-making.

human rights

Gender equality

Timeline: Women’s Rights in the EU

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/2606990/N01-AFPS-210226-IWOD-EN.srt

Women's rights have come a long way in the EU...

Let's take a look at some of the milestones

European leaders were already laying the groundwork

It made gender equality a fundamental value

In 1975, the Council of the European Communities

adopted the principle of equal pay for women.

After the first direct European elections in 1979,

Parliament set about choosing its president and elected a woman.

"It is a great honour to be called to serve as president

Parliament established its Committee on Women's Rights.

In 2000, the EU published its charter of fundamental rights.

It states that equality between women and men

In 2014, MEPs adopted a directive to combat

violence against women and human trafficking.

"Violence against women is a severe violation of human rights

in the form of gender-based discrimination.

It is the root cause of gender inequality."

In 2019, MEPs set out to improve work-life balance in the EU

flexible working arrangements and time-off for carers.

"This goes beyond increasing the rights of parents and carers.

It will also lead to greater gender equality

so that responsibilities can be better shared."

MEPs highlighted the plight of women in the pandemic.

"We must make Team Europe a shining light for women and girls

across the world, a byword for a brighter post-Covid future."

In 2021, Parliament called for measures to protect women's rights

and ensure they are protected against domestic violence

they are also at the forefront of future politics.

Let's finally make the 21st century the century of women."

for a more ambitious gender equality strategy,

and closing gender gaps, once and for all.