Thanking our grandmothers and fighting for our daughters, on International Women’s Day

Today, we celebrate International Women’s Day. What started as a tribute to a 1908 strike by the International Ladies Garment Workers’ Union in the United States has now become an opportunity for women around the world to demonstrate their commitment to political, economic and social equality.

The context of this year’s Women’s day is fundamentally different to last year. We are observing a rise of nationalism which can undermine our liberal European culture, values and human rights, including women‘s rights.

Europe has set the benchmark for women’s rights and is an example that other continents follow. And that means we must be advocates for women’s rights at home and abroad. Since the 1960s our place in society has changed. But there is more to be done. And we need to ensure that our daughters shouldn’t revisit the same battles that our grandmothers already won.

Today, in Europe, more women are graduating from universities than men. European women have more job opportunities, but they are still overrepresented in low-paid sectors as well as in low-paid jobs. Women still earn on average 16% less than men for doing the same work. And in the workplace, women are not yet equally represented in decisionmaking positions. Too many women are also left with the dilemma of how to reconcile work and family.

Some of our strongest political leaders in Europe are women – though not yet enough. The gender balance in politics has improved, but at a slow pace – today 24% of national parliamentarians in the EU are women. One of the biggest untapped sources is entrepreneurial potential – for now women represent only 29% of entrepreneurs. Also, only 22% of executive positions in the EU’s largest companies were held by women in 2016, among them nearly 5% are female CEOs. Having more women in positions that shape policy and drive change in our societies will better address our needs.

Respect for diversity, and respect for the individual, are more than just political values in Europe. They also define who we are as Europeans. Equality between women and men is a fundamental right. The persistence of inequalities is also a waste of talent; by ignoring inequality we deprive our society of many talents and great ideas.

Looking forward, we aspire to create a Europe where a woman applying for a job has a real chance of getting it. We want a Europe that enables both men and women to take time off work to care for their children, or for sick or elderly relatives. This should not be held against them. Many women are also victims of sexism and harassment in the work place, on the street, when using public transport or at home. We want a Europe free of violence against women and we want safe spaces for women to seek help.

The European Union is the best tool for promoting women’s rights in Europe. By working together, we can create better conditions for women and true equality. Equality is not just about removing legal discrimination but about giving everyone a real chance, in practice. Nobody‘s fate should be predetermined – whether by their gender, age, race, sexual orientation or anything else.

Today is a good day to look around the world and remind ourselves that Europe is a good place for women. But we still have work to do. On International Women’s Day, we call on all women and men in Europe to join us in discussion and action. We can all play a part. In the Commission we work hard to ensure equal treatment for all, and our aim is to make this a better Europe for all of us and for our children.

Co-signed by: European Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Marianne Thyssen, European Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, Elżbieta Bieńkowska, European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Vĕra Jourová, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Cretu European Commissioner for Competition, Margrethe Vestager.