To mark the 2024 International Women's Day (8 March), the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee (FEMM Committee) holds an inter-parliamentary committee meeting, gathering EU and national parliamentarians, to discuss the situation of women in sport today. Topics include eradicating gender stereotypes, abuse scandals and getting equal financial rewards and status. The experts to speak include Olympians Charline Van Snick (Belgium), and Pia Sundhage (Sweden). The footage also shows extracts from the statement by Robert BIEDROŃ (S&D, PL), FEMM Chair. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Brussels

statement

International Women's Day (T)

interparliamentary meeting

Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality

BIEDROŃ, Robert (S&D, PL)

women's rights (T)

International Women’s Day 2024: extracts from the Interparliamentary Committee Meeting on the occasion of International Women's Day

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/75231318/1709542064009_I253788Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

Cutaways of the participants listening to the speakers, Brussels, Belgium, 7/3/2024 (6 shots).

Exterior shot of the European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium, 7/3/2024.

Cutaways of participants arriving to the Interparliamentary Committee Meeting (6 shots).

SOUNDBITE (English), Robert BIEDROŃ (S&amp;D, PL), FEMM Chair, I'm honored to open our Interparliamentary Committee Meeting, which we are organizing on the occasion of the International Women's Day 2024.

SOUNDBITE (English), Robert BIEDROŃ (S&amp;D, PL), FEMM Chair, Of course, always in our minds is the fact that sport has traditionally been seen as male preserve, with women at first not being even allowed to participate and then later being steered to more feminine disciplines.

SOUNDBITE (English), Robert BIEDROŃ (S&amp;D, PL), FEMM Chair, Sexism and misogyny can be debated by power structures and secrecy. Abuse can be verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual. Well-publicized scandals, such as the final of the Women's Football World Cup marred by harassment, the US gymnastics abuse scandal and others are only the tip of the iceberg.

SOUNDBITE (English), Robert BIEDROŃ (S&amp;D, PL), FEMM Chair, We know that we need a certain crucial mass in order for progress to be made. Also, for athletes to transition into coaches and sports administrators, like their male counterparts. For women to be coached by a man is normal, but for men to be coached by women, even today, examples are few and far far between.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pia SUNDHAGE, Swedish former football player, coach, I've seen the power of sports in the lives of women and girls. But make no mistakes. The road to the equality has not been easy. Women in football have for a long time been fighting for our rights to play football, but also to ensure that our achievements are recognized.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pia SUNDHAGE, Swedish former football player, coach, When I was a little girl, I loved the ball. I loved what the ball could do to me and what I could do with the ball. And it challenged me in a joyful way. People back then expect me to toss the ball because I was a girl. But I love to strike the ball with my feet.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pia SUNDHAGE, Swedish former football player, coach, But let us not forget that the fight for equality is far from over. Women still face barriers in access to resources, equal treatment, good support status and respect. Female athletes are often undervalued and underrepresented in the media, and the disparity in pay investment between men's and women's sports remain glaringly apparent.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pia SUNDHAGE, Swedish former football player, coach, As we celebrate International Women's Day, let us recommit ourselves to the cause of gender equality in sport and beyond. Together, men and women. We can. We should build a world where every woman and girl have the opportunity to shine both on and off the field. So let us embrace the fact that. Times and they are changing. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (French), Charline VAN SNICK, Belgium former judoka, During my career I faced sporting challenges and also had to fight sexist and sexual violence and this is why I'd like to share with you today a reality which is often hidden behind the glamour of medals and podiums. For me, sport was always a dream, a passion, but also an escape. For many young people like me, sport is a refuge, a place where we can channel our energy, our ambition and our determination. But behind that dream, often the reality is quite dark. I have been subjected to underhand pressure, to constant humiliation and even serious violence.

SOUNDBITE (French), Charline VAN SNICK, Belgium former judoka, A recent study funded by the EU shows that three three quarters of children who play sport have been victims of psychological or physical violence in 80% in Belgium. Half of these are serious forms of violence. And European sports leaders of being have been criticised for the lack of action in the face of this tragedy. Despite efforts to raise awareness, specific measures have not been taken, allowing those with power to dominate. We need to move towards a fairer and more respectful society. There is an urgent need to protect children. Our children, Your children.

SOUNDBITE (French), Charline VAN SNICK, Belgium former judoka, Women also play a key role as role models in inspiring future generations and promoting values such as equality, respect and diversity. The more female athletes there are, the more talent there will be. The more the overall level will increase, the more sponsors will be interested and the more income there will be. It benefits everybody from amateurs, rightly, to professionals.