The European Parliament defends women’s rights across the EU. Its efforts to ensure gender equality at work, in politics and other areas have led to landmark legislation. New legally-binding measures cover a vast variety of issues: helping ending unequal pay, eliminating gender-based discrimination, boosting women’s presence on corporate boards and combatting violence against women.

Every year Parliament holds a Gender Equality Week to take stock of the achievements and identify new measures to advance girls' and women's rights and ensure gender equality. Events are organised by Parliament's committees, delegations, political groups and administration. The first edition was held in 2020, on the initiative of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee.

In 2025 the European Gender Equality Week takes place from 3 to 6 November and will focus on talent. The main event will host a discussion on how to ensure women can access the same opportunities as men in order to be able to harness their talents.

Women's rights

FEMM LIBE - Presentation by the Commission - Baseline evaluation procedure of the European Union's implementation of the Council of Europe   Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention)

FEMM - Hearing: Women’s leadership in politics

Public hearing on Women's Leadership in Politics: welcoming remarks by Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ, Chair of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

Women's Leadership in Politics: extracts from the public hearing and statement by Lina GÁLVEZ (S&D, ES), Chair of FEMM Committee

Public hearing on Women's Leadership in Politics: speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Public hearing on Women's Leadership in Politics: speech by Antonella SBERNA, Vice-President of the European Parliament responsible for the Gender Equality Week

Gender equality week - Facing the Talent Gap

European Electoral act - Proxy vote during pregnancy: extracts from the vote and statement by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Rapporteur

Gender Equality Week (GEW) ' The Path Forward: The New Gender Action Plan ' .

Infoclip: Gender Equality Week - Women in Arts

Support to Belarusian political prisoners, in presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President: extracts

EPP members of  FEMM committee and guests of  the International Women's Day family photo

The International Women’s Day

Gender Equality Week: "Women's leadership on politics"

International Women's Day Celebration

Inter-parliamentary committee meeting on "Strengthening the Women on the occasion of the International Women's Day 2025

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Need to fight the systematic problem of gender based violence in Europe

Voting session

Plenary Debate -  Parliament marks International Women’s Day (8 March)

Roadmap for Women`s Rights: closing statements by Roxana MÎNZATU, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, and Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs

Roadmap for Women`s Rights: MEPs debate (part 2)

Roadmap for Women`s Rights: MEPs debate (part 1)

Roadmap for Women`s Rights: opening statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, and Roxana MÎNZATU, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness

International Women’s Day: speeches by Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Palina SHARENDA-PANASIUK, Leniie UMEROVA and Tata KEPLER

International Women’s Day: opening speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

International Women's Day Celebration: arrival of Belarusian and Ukrainian political activists and released prisoners and meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Parliament authorities

International Women’s Day: atmosphere shots from the chamber

International Women's Day Celebration arrival of political activists and released prisoners from Belarus and Ukraine and meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Parliament authorities

Infoclip: Women in defence, peacekeeping and peace advocacy

Infoclip: Women’s Rights: Empowering women in key sectors

The increasing and systematic repression against women in Iran: MEPs debate

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: MEPs Debate part 2

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