Op 8 maart vieren we Internationale Vrouwendag om de prestaties van vrouwen te erkennen en vrouwenrechten onder de aandacht te brengen. Net als in eerdere jaren is het een gelegenheid om stil te staan bij kwesties als gendergelijkheid, reproductieve rechten en de bestrijding van geweld tegen en misbruik van vrouwen. Gelijkheid van vrouwen en mannen is altijd een van de kernwaarden en belangrijkste doelstellingen van de Europese Unie geweest. Toch hebben we deze gelijkheid nog steeds niet volledig bereikt.

De strijd van de EU voor vrouwenrechten

Op 8 maart vieren we Internationale Vrouwendag om de prestaties van vrouwen te erkennen en vrouwenrechten onder de aandacht te brengen. Net als in vorige jaren is het een gelegenheid om stil te staan bij kwesties als gendergelijkheid, reproductieve rechten en de bestrijding van geweld tegen en misbruik van vrouwen. Gelijkheid van vrouwen en mannen is altijd een van de kernwaarden en belangrijkste doelstellingen van de Europese Unie geweest. Toch hebben we deze gelijkheid nog steeds niet volledig bereikt.

International Women’s Day is held every year on 8 March. Equality between women and men is one of the objectives of the European Union.

Over time, legislation, case-law and changes to the Treates have helped shore up this principle and its implementation in the EU.

The European Parliament has always been a fervent defender of the principle of equality between men and women.

International Women’s Day

The United Nations defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life."

The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, also known as the Istanbul Convention, is the first legally binding international instrument on this issue. It establishes a comprehensive framework of measures for preventing such violence, supporting victims and punishing perpetrators.&nbsp;

MEPs have voted during May 2023 plenary to approve the European Union’s accession to the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, concluding Parliament’s role in the process. 2&nbsp;years after the EU signed the Istanbul Convention - it has still not been ratified because of the refusal of a few member states, despite&nbsp;Parliament’s multiple calls to this end.

However, the EU&nbsp;Court of Justice’s opinion of 6 October 2021&nbsp;confirmed that the European Union can ratify the Istanbul Convention without having the agreement of all member states. The Court found that the appropriate scope for the EU’s accession is asylum, judicial cooperation in criminal matters, and obligations of the EU institutions and public administration.

The EU’s accession to the Istanbul Convention does not exempt member states from ratifying it themselves, MEPs have repeatedly said, urging the remaining five&nbsp;countries - Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Lithuania and Slovakia - to ratify the Convention without delay, so that it can protect women to the full extent of the Convention’s intended scope

Violence against women

The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, also known as the Istanbul Convention, is the first legally binding international instrument on this issue. It establishes a comprehensive framework of measures for preventing such violence, supporting victims and punishing perpetrators.

The European Parliament first sounded the alarm about the problem of violence against women in a resolution of 11 June 1986. Since then, Parliament has played a particularly important role in the field, including through the work of its Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM). As of October 2020, it has been signed by all EU Member States, and ratified by 21.

Violence against women (2019-2020)

To mark International Women’s Day, on Tuesday MEPs hear the testimony of Jackie Fox, who campaigns in memory of her daughter, a victim of cyberbullying, followed by one round of political group speakers.

Since her daughter’s death by suicide in 2018 following online bullying, Jackie Fox has campaigned tirelessly for stronger protection for victims. She advocated for the introduction of “Coco’s Law” in Ireland. This legislation makes it an offence to share or threaten to share intimate images on digital devices without consent. It also criminalises severe online bullying.

MEPs are also expected to react to the new EU gender equality strategy, presented on 5 March 2026 by the Commission. The European Parliament adopted a resolution in November 2025 to provide input for the Commission’s strategy.

Closing the gender pay gap

In a separate debate on Monday afternoon, MEPs will review progress on addressing the gender pay and pension gaps in the EU. The own-initiative report to be put to a plenary vote on Wednesday highlights the fact that women continue to carry out a disproportionate share of unpaid care and domestic work. This in turn reduces their labour market participation and pension accrual and is one of the main reasons for the gender pay and pension gaps.

EP Plenary debate on International Women's Day 2026

To mark International Women’s Day 2026, the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee is organising an event bringing together MEPs and national parliamentarians to discuss “women’s rights and democracy: combating stereotypes, disinformation and violence in the digital age”. The conference will be opened by a video message from Parliament President Roberta Metsola followed by remarks by, among others, committee chair Lina Gálvez, Cyprus’ Justice and Public Order Minister Costas Fitiris (TBC) and EU Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib (Thursday).

FEMM - International Women’s Day

Four women fighting for freedom, peace and justice in their home countries – from Belarus, leader of the country's democratic forces Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and Palina Sharenda Panasiuk; and Lenie Umerova and Tata Kepler from Ukraine – have all been invited to address plenary., Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of Belarus’ democratic forces, 

will speak to MEPs at a solemn session on Tuesday at noon. 

In the early afternoon, MEPs and Council and Commission representatives will debate the Commission’s “Roadmap for Women’s Rights” (expected to be adopted by the Commission on Friday 7 March). The discussion is expected to focus on the EU’s role in safeguarding and advancing women’s rights and the principles and measures outlined in the Roadmap. Key issues will include the implementation of EU legislation, such as the first ever EU rules to combat violence against women, the rules on improving gender balance on corporate boards, and binding pay transparency measures. MEPs are also likely to discuss the need for women’s equal participation in the economy and society, including in politics, and the impact of shifting political dynamics on women’s rights and gender equality.

International Women's Day Celebration

Women in defence, security and peace building. A special meeting of the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality with members of national parliaments and invited panellists – including women in leadership roles in the military, academics, and activists – is scheduled in the run-up to the International Women's Day (8 March). The meeting will include introductory remarks by the European Commissioner for Equality, Hadja Lahbib, and will focus on 'Strengthening the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda – Upholding Women's Rights in Defence, Security, and Peacebuilding. (Thursday) A media seminar is organised on Wednesday afternoon, with EP President Roberta Metsola, MEPs, and guests from Ukraine, Israel, Palestine and international organisations.

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

Ivana Andrés and Alba Redondo from the Spanish women’s national football team address MEPs.

To mark International Women’s Day, captain of the Spanish women’s football team Ivana Andrés and Alba Redondo, captain for club Levante, addresses MEPs,  followed by a round of political group speakers. Spain won the World Cup in 2023 for the first time, but the trophy presentation was marred by harassment. 

On the same day at around 10.30, , MEPs discuss whether Parliament should give its consent to Council for member states to ratify the International Labour Organization’s Convention on Violence and Harassment. The convention is the first international treaty to recognise the right to work free from violence and harassment.

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

EP Plenary Session - International Women's Day Celebration

Roberta METSOLA, EP President visit to Malta - Participation in an event organised on the occasion of International Women’s Day

Press Seminar – International Women's Day: Digital violence against women

FEMM Inter-parliamentary Committee Meeting on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026

Women Empowerment Programme - Session on Effective Political Communication and Negotiation with Members and Staff of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova

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

Point of order and closing of the ceremony of the International Women’s Day Celebration.

International Women’s Day: Point of order and closing of the ceremony

To mark International Women’s Day, political group speakers take the floor after the testimony of Jackie Fox, who campaigns in memory of her daughter, a victim of cyberbullying. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery

International Women’s Day Celebration: one round of political group speakers

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day Celebration, EP President Roberta METSOLA delivers a speech after the testimony of Jackie Fox, who campaigns in memory of her daughter, a victim of cyberbullying. This transcription if the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

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

To mark International Women’s Day, MEPs hear the testimony of Jackie Fox, who campaigns in memory of her daughter, a victim of cyberbullying. Since her daughter’s death by suicide in 2018 following online bullying, Jackie Fox has campaigned tirelessly for stronger protection for victims. She advocated for the introduction of “Coco’s Law” in Ireland. This legislation makes it an offence to share or threaten to share intimate images on digital devices without consent. It also criminalises severe online bullying. This transcription if the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

International Women’s Day: speech by Jackie FOX, Campaigner for Coco's Law

Broadcasting a video clip in the hemicycle on the occasion of the International Women’s Day Celebration. This transcription if the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

International Women’s Day: Video-Clip

Jackie FOX and Roberta METSOLA enter the Chamber, then EP President Roberta METSOLA delivers a speech on the occasion of the International Women’s Day Celebration. This transcription if the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery

International Women’s Day: arrival in the hemicycle and introduction by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

To mark International Women’s Day (8/3/2026), MEPs hear the testimony of Jackie FOX, who campaigns in memory of her daughter, a victim of cyberbullying. This news item presents extracts from the celebration in the Chamber, extracts from the address to the hemicycle and from the meeting between President Roberta METSOLA and Jackie FOX.

International Women's Day 2026: extracts from the meeting between Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Jackie FOX, "Coco's Law" campaigner and extracts from the address to the plenary

This video presents extracts from EP President Roberta METSOLA's participatation to an event organized on the occasion of International Women’s Day in Malta.

International Women's Day (T)

Video's

Foto

Fotoseries

Onderwerpen

Audios

Evenementen

Media gepubliceerd voor deze label

3