In commemoration of International Women’s Day, the European Union (EU) urged member states to ramp up efforts towards achieving gender parity in political representation. In a statement released on Thursday, it highlighted the persistent underrepresentation of women in parliaments, with an average of only 33% holding seats in the EU and 26.5% globally.
The EU stated that it expects an increased number of women to participate in major elections scheduled for 2024, including the European Parliament vote in June involving over 400 million EU citizens. Beyond advocating for women in politics, the EU also showcased its advancements on other fronts of gender equality including the need to combat violence targeted against women, closing the pay gap by the adoption and application of Pay Transparency Directive to guarantee equal pay for equal work, challenging stereotypes to dismantle gender stereotypes in career choices, childcare responsibilities, and decision-making processes, work-life balance to improve work-life balance for parents and caregivers, financial support to fund projects and organizations tackling gender-based violence and promoting gender equality through its dedicated programs as well as other important fronts of gender equality.
The EU’s commitment extends to its external actions as well. The Gender Action Plan III prioritizes promoting women’s equal participation and leadership in decision-making processes. Similarly, the first-ever Youth Action Plan emphasizes amplifying the voices and leadership roles of young women in policymaking. One flagship initiative, the Women and Youth in Democracy Initiative, focuses on empowering young women and women in general to participate actively in public and political life as key agents of change and development.
The EU’s dedication to gender equality is seen in the launch of a €11.5 million women’s political participation program at the Commission on the Status of Women, scheduled to take place in New York on March 14th.
Additionally, a Joint Mid-term Report on the Implementation of the EU Gender Action Plan was issued in November 2023, outlining the achievements of EU external actions in promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls. Since the adoption of the plan three years ago, the EU has launched numerous new initiatives and programs at global, regional, and national levels, encompassing a range of areas from sexual and reproductive health and rights to access to quality education and financial resources for young women entrepreneurs.
The EU’s renewed commitment in 2021 to the 2021–2025 roadmap of the ‘Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies’ further underscores its global efforts to address this critical issue.
By actively promoting gender equality in all spheres, the EU strives to achieve a balanced representation of women in decision-making positions and pave the way for a more equitable society for all.
