During the trophy presentation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in August, president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales kissed Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips, which she has stated she did not consent to. Mr Rubiales subsequently refused to resign - he has since been suspended by FIFA (the international governing body of association football), which has launched an investigation into his conduct. After the final of the Women’s Football World Cup was marred by harassment, MEPs quiz the Commission on how to counter violence and discrimination in sports. Opening statement by Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reformsr. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

violence against women (T)

FERREIRA, Elisa (S&D, PT, EC)

Violence and discrimination in the world of sports after the FIFA Women’s World Cup: opening statement by Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/72035500/1694168999763_I245566Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion, Dear President, Honourable members, on this file, I address you on behalf of Vice-President Margrethe Schinas. In fact, gender based violence and discrimination have no place in Europe, not on our streets, not in our homes, not in our offices, and not in our sports stadiums. The Commission is a strong defender and promoter of gender equality in all spheres of life, and sports cannot be exception to this. Europe is the cradle of football, the place where its rules were invented and today the main showcase of this sport worldwide.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion, European football, therefore has not just a vocation, but the responsibility to act as an important vector for promoting gender equality and ending gender based violence. Hallmarks of the Union of equality that Europe must readily embody with full respect for the autonomy of house parties governed and organised.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion, I believe that sports federations have a key role to play in ensuring good governance, including the respect of sport and European values as well as European law. For its part, the Commission is showing its commitment to gender equality in sport with concrete actions.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion, It has led to the work of the high level group on gender Equality in Sport that issued recommendations in spring last year, including on measures to ensure safe sport and fight harassment. Sport can be a powerful environment to inspire changes in attitudes and ending gender bias by biases and other stereotypes. European Union workPlan for Sport for 2124 includes gender equality and safe sports as key topics.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion, The Commission recognises champions of gender equality in the world of sport. We did the be equal award for ISAs and in 2022 appointed a female coach as as the European Week of Sport Ambassador as a role model to provide more evidence and address the media coverage on women in sport.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion, The Commission runs a joint project all in plus with the Council of Europe. Finally, the Commission encourages equality, a safe environment and inclusive sport through the funding priorities of the Erasmus+ sport actions. Unfortunately, when it comes to gender based violence, there is no place which is completely safe for women and girls, including in sport. Despite some progress, sexual harassment remains ubiquitous in our societies.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion, Combating all for all forms of violence against women and domestic violence is a key priority for this commission. This is why we welcome the European Union's accession to the Council of Europe. Istanbul Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence in June 2023. Last June, the European Union Gender Equality

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion, Strategy for 2025 recognises the urgency of addressing sexual harassment as a form of gender based discrimination and violence in the European Union. Women also often face sexual harassment at work. This has significant negative consequences for the victims, the employers and workplace culture. Sexual harassment is covered by the International Labour Organisation Convention 120 on violence and the rest. And in the world of work.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion, The European Strategy Framework on Health and Safety at Work acknowledges the negative consequences of workplace violence assessment and discrimination, whether based on sex or any other grounds. The Commission supports, together with the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Awareness raising, raising on workplace harassment and gender bias, and calls on the Member States to promote gender considerations in design, implementation and reporting.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion, Regarding legislative measures, I would like to recall that the regiment based on sex and sexual harassment in the field of employment and occupation and access to goods and services are already prohibited under EU law on gender equality in the area of employment and occupation. In March 2022, the Commission proposed EU wide rules to end gender based violence against women and domestic violence.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion, You are currently negotiating this proposal. We added the Council. I would like to use this occasion to thank the European Parliament for its constructive approach to successfully conclude the negotiations. Still under this mandate, which I believe is our shared goal.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion, The Commission is furthermore proposing that managers in the public and private sector are obliged to receive training on how to recognise sexual harassment at work, provide support to victims and respond in adequate manner. This is not limited to physical sexual harassment, but covers all forms, all forms of unwanted verbal, nonverbal or physical contact of a sexual nature.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion, Once the directive is adopted in the Member States where sexual and psychological harassment constitute a crime offence, victims of those forms of violence will benefit from the established measures on protection support, including targeted support for victims of sexual harassment at work and access to justice.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion, The Commission remains fully committed to upholding women's rights and combating any form of violence against women, including sexual harassment. Thank you very much for your attention. Thank you.