On Wednesday, the plenary backed a European citizens’ initiative to improve access to abortion in Europe through a voluntary solidarity mechanism. Parliament recalls that many women in Europe still lack full access to safe and legal abortion and warns of the legal and practical barriers that persist in several Member States. MEPs call on these […]
EU strengthens legal protections and support systems for victims of crime
The new rules, provisionally agreed by EU co-legislators, seek to reinforce support and protection measures for victims and their rights in criminal proceedings. On Wednesday evening, negotiators from Parliament reached an informal agreement with the Council to update the 2012 Victims’ Rights directive following a proposal by the Commission in 2023. The agreement succeeds in: strengthening […]
New EU rules to improve Gender Balance in corporate boards enter into application
The Gender Balance on Corporate Boards Directive entered into application at the end of 2024, aiming for a more balanced gender representation on the boards of listed companies across all EU Member States. The Directive sets a target for EU large listed companies of 40% of the underrepresented sex among their non-executive directors and 33% among all directors. […]
High Representative on behalf of the European Union urges Iran to protect women’s rights
On the anniversary of the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, we honour her memory and the ‘Women, Life, freedom’ movement driven by the courage and determination of countless Iranians, especially women. Two years ago, Iranians have taken to the streets to demand respect for fundamental freedoms. With the dire human rights situation in Iran, especially […]
Violence against women: European Parliament insists on ratification of the Istanbul Convention
The European Union must ratify the Convention on preventing and combating gender-based violence from 2021, according to a European Court of Justice ruling, Parliament insists. In a resolution adopted by 469 votes in favour, 104 against and 55 abstentions, the plenary stressed that the Istanbul Convention remains the international standard and the key instrument […]
Afghanistan: Foreign Ministers’ statement on Taliban decision to ban women from universities
The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, the Governments of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, and the High Representative of the European Union on the occasion of the Taliban’s decision to ban women from universities. […]
How Spain and the EU can take steps forward for gender equality
We need to move forward faster Progressive new policies are helping improve gender equality for the people of Spain. But the country’s leading voice on women’s rights admits, “we need to move forward faster.” Now we all share concerns over economic hardships leading to increased risks of poverty and job insecurity. Still, today in Spain […]
Czech Presidency outlines priorities to EP committees
Ministers are outlining the priorities of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU to parliamentary committees, in a series of meetings. Czechia holds the Presidency of the Council until the end of 2022. A first series of hearings took place from 11 to 13 July. A second set of hearings will happen during […]
Universal access to sexual and reproductive health
EU countries should ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health. MEPs urge member states to protect and further enhance women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights in a report adopted on Thursday. With 378 votes in favour, 255 against and 42 abstentions, plenary states that the right to health, in particular sexual and reproductive […]