“A woman’s place is wherever she chooses to be: running a company, writing the laws, leading a lab, or pursuing her passion. When we break those ceilings, we don’t just lift women up, we unlock progress for everyone,” — Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, says.
The European Parliament defends women’s rights across the EU. Its efforts to ensure gender equality at work, in politics, and in other areas have led to landmark legislation. New legally binding measures cover a vast variety of issues: helping to end unequal pay, eliminating gender-based discrimination, boosting women’s presence on corporate boards, and combatting violence against women.
Every year Parliament holds a Gender Equality Week to take stock of achievements and identify new measures to advance girls’ and women’s rights and ensure gender equality. Events are organised by Parliament’s committees, delegations, political groups and administration. The first edition was held in 2020, on the initiative of Parliament’s Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee.
In 2026, European Gender Equality Week will focus on women in leadership. The main event is a discussion on how women in leadership shape the change and inspire the next generation of leaders.
