International Women's Day 2020: We need a change and the moment is now

Ahead of the International Women’s Day on 8 March, the European Commission issued the following statement:

"Gender equality is a core principle of the European Union. Yet it is still not a reality. In business, politics and society as a whole, we can only reach our full potential if we use all of our talent and diversity. Women face too many hurdles and barriers on their way. In Europe and beyond, women continue to be targets of gender-based violence, stereotypes and hate speech.

Even if Europe is a good address for women, the numbers are telling: one in three women in the EU was subject to physical and/or sexual violence. Even though more women graduate from universities, they earn on average 16% less than men do. Only 8% of CEO’s of the EU’s largest companies are women.

This is not what our Union stands for. Everyone, regardless of his or her gender, should be able to live free from violence and pursue his or her chosen path in life.

We need a change and the moment is now. Ahead of the International Women’s Day on 8 March, we need to remember: progress towards equality between women and men is neither inevitable nor irreversible.”

The full statement is available online.