Brussels: ‘Although we have made meaningful progress in recent decades, true gender equality remains an unfinished business,’ the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, told the Cyprus News Agency in a written interview on the occasion of a recent seminar in Brussels. The seminar focused on the challenges of upholding women’s rights in defense, security, and peacebuilding, ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8th.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Metsola outlined the steps that have been taken by the European Union and particularly the European Parliament. She mentioned that the gender pay gap in Cyprus stands at around 10% and spoke of the difficulties and the ‘relentless scrutiny’ women in politics face. She also discussed efforts made by the EP for abortion to be included in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and commented on the effects of new US policies towards supporting global civil society and how the EU could step in to fill the gap.
The Presid
ent of the European Parliament also addressed the increase of far-right voices in the pan-European legislative body and spoke of her visit to the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the need to protect vulnerable groups, particularly women. Metsola announced that on March 11th, the European Parliament will pay tribute in Strasbourg to courageous women across Europe, including Belarusian opposition leader, Svietlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarusian political activist Palina Sharenda Panasiuk, Crimean Tatar and released political prisoner Lenie Umerova, and Tata Kepler, a medical volunteer on Ukrainian frontlines.
Regarding the inequality and the barriers that women continue to face in their professional and personal lives, as well as in politics, President Metsola noted that ‘centuries of discrimination have left a lasting gender gap in our culture, economies, and political systems.’ She emphasized the need for continued efforts to ensure that women and girls have an equal place in both public and private life.
Speaking on th
e role of women in European politics, Metsola highlighted the relentless scrutiny women face in the public eye and the traditional gender roles and ingrained biases that still exist. She stressed the importance of challenging these stereotypes and empowering women to pursue their ambitions.
On the topic of abortion, Metsola recalled that the European Parliament has a long record of championing women’s rights and continues to advocate for reproductive rights at the EU level, despite divergent positions among Member States.
Addressing the effects of new American policies to withdraw support to NGOs and human rights organizations, Metsola expressed concern and emphasized the EU’s commitment to strengthening women’s rights worldwide, noting that the EU is the largest provider of development aid.
In response to the rise of the far-right in European societies, Metsola reaffirmed the European Parliament’s role as a place for debate and compromise, and reiterated her commitment to advancing women’s rights and stre
ngthening democracy.
Regarding her visit to the Gaza Strip, Metsola described the urgent need for international action to protect vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, and highlighted the EU’s significant humanitarian aid efforts in the region.