On the occasion of the International Women’s Day Celebration, two players from the Spanish women’s national football team winner of the 2023 World Cup, Ivana Andrés and Alba Redondo, address the hemicycle in Strasbourg. Spain won the World Cup in 2023 for the first time, but the trophy presentation was marred by harassment. Atmosphere in the Chamber, opening of the ceremony by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and video-clip. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

ceremony

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

International Women's Day (T)

president's agenda

International Women’s Day Celebration: Atmosphere in the Chamber, opening of the ceremony by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and video-clip

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/75353446/1710236174495_I254449Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Dear colleagues, dear champions. Thank you for joining us to mark International Women's Day in the European Parliament. Thank you for inspiring young girls and boys across the world for proving that football is her game too. Before we begin this ceremony, I would like to invite all of you to turn your attention to the screens to watch a short video clip prepared especially for today's celebrations.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Dear colleagues. From leading businesses or households to steering nations from breaking barriers in the boardroom to blazing trails in sports, women have changed the world. That is why we must continue to work harder, to level the playing field, and to make women's contributions more visible to ensure that every little girl and every little boy has role models to aspire to.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And to do this, it is my pleasure to welcome to the European Parliament World champions Ivana ANDRÉS and Alba REDONDO on behalf of the Spanish football team who won the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. And only a few days ago, the first Women's Nations League. Welcome.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, 'Ivana, Alba, we have seen you and your team-mates shattering stereotypes. We have seen you reaching your goals and scoring quite a lot of them too. Your victory is a reminder that gender cannot and will not hinder the road to success. That hard work, that ambition and determination are qualities that overcome all limitations.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, We know that this does not come easy in sports. Inequality persists. Not least when it comes to media coverage, sponsorship opportunities and pay. More broadly, I think of the women who, despite all their best efforts, are still struggling every day to reach their full potential. This is a systemic problem, and one that the European Parliament is working hard day in, day out to uproot.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And everyone has a role to play here. It is up to each one of us to facilitate a paradigm shift in thinking and in working to foster policies that will eliminate gender discrimination, to make it easier for women to remove the unfair barriers that remain. That is why International Women's Day is so important, as a day to celebrate women's achievements, but also as a reminder of the remaining work that still needs to be done. And I'm so proud that this House is a global leader on these issues and will remain a force for true equality. Thank you.