Women must have an equal share in politics, say MEPs and national MPs

One day ahead of International Women’s Day, Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee members debated with more than 20 national MPs from 15 EU member states and Norway during an inter-parliamentary meeting on ‘‘Women’s power in politics’’.

Opening the event chaired by Vilija Blinkevičiūtė (S&D, LT), EP President Antonio Tajani declared: ‘‘We must keep working to have more women in politics, but also in businesses. It is a battle for dignity and respect that must be fought by all of us.’’

#EUWOMEN

MEPs and MPs discussed ways to boost women’s participation in the political sphere, for example via the use of quotas, and the crucial role political parties play when considering nominations and positions on electoral lists. They also raised the issue of young women’s participation in politics, who often face barriers (precarious working conditions, lower income, absence of paternal leave…). Mentoring programmes, an equal parental leave system for men and women and the role of the education system were raised as possible solutions to overcome these obstacles.

Among the other participants, Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Commissioner Věra Jourová, EU foreign policy Chief Federica Mogherini and Women’s Rights Committee Vice-Chair João Pimenta Lopes advocated for more women in decision-making, pleaded for men to be involved in the fight for gender equality and for existing legislation on the subject to be properly enforced.

Click here to watch the replay of the event.

Infographics – Women in the European Parliament