Joint statement on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2017

EU News 46/2017

Brussels, 08/03/2017

The European Union stands by women in Europe and around the globe today, as it did at the time of its foundation.

Sixty years ago, equality between women and men was embedded in the Rome Treaty as one of the European Union's fundamental values. At that time, Europe's commitment to the principle of equal pay for equal work was unique in the world.  Since then, the EU has continued to lead and has made visible progress on all fronts. We work tirelessly to defend women's rights and empower them in the fight against discrimination and gender-based violence.

In 2017, there are more women in work, more women graduating from universities, and more women active in politics or in top positions at European companies than ever before. Within the Commission, women represent 55% of the total workforce. And yet, too many women, especially single mothers, are still struggling to reach economic independence in the European Union. The rate of women's employment in the European Union reached an all-time high of 65.5% in 2016 and yet there is still a big difference with the 77% rate of men.

Much more must be done both inside and outside of Europe. Women are often among the most vulnerable, in conflicts, in situations of migration and displacement, and where poverty and climate change hit the hardest. In addition, there is an exponential growth in the numbers of female victims of trafficking arriving in the EU in the current migration context.

Intolerance against women and misogyny manifest themselves in the public sphere as well as behind the cowardly anonymity of the Internet. Attacks on women's rights are on the rise. Too many Europeans still think sexual intercourse without consent can be justifiable. Women are also on the frontline of discrimination and violence, especially in conflict areas around the world.

However, women are often also the first ones to seek solutions, to look for resilience in times of challenge and those with a vision for the future of their countries. That is why the EU continues to engage with women's groups throughout the world, including in the most challenging circumstances, like Afghanistan or Syria.

Signatories:
First Vice-President Frans Timmermans
EU High-Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy /Vice-President of the Commission Federica Mogherini
Budget and Human Resources Commissioner Oettinger
European Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations Commissioner Johannes Hahn
International Cooperation and Development Commissioner Neven Mimica
Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos
Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility Commissioner Marianne Thyssen
Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Commissioner Christos Stylianides
Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Commissioner Vera Jourová

Source and additional information:
https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/22100/joint-statement-occasion-international-womens-day-2017_en

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