Despite some important efforts in the last years, the progress for gender equality and women’s rights in the EU is going far too slowly, Member of the European Parliament Heléne Fritzon said. 

She was speaking as the Socialists & Democrats launched their position paper on gender equality. The Position Paper describes problems women face and includes concrete proposals to tackle them. The S&D’s priorities are: beating stereotypes; fighting for women’s rights to decide over their own bodies; ending all forms of violence; ensuring women’s equal representation in decision making; enhancing their economic independence; tackling gender bias in taxation; prioritising gender equality in digital and green transitions and in foreign policy; and gender mainstreaming and budgeting. 

The progressive policy proposals put forward by the S&Ds include a call for an EU Women’s Rights Charter; adoption of the horizontal directive against discrimination; an annual EU campaign against gender stereotypes; the establishment of an EU Special Envoy on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights; a transition towards a true care economy; a directive to eliminate gender-based violence both online and offline; and the establishment of a Gender Equality and Equality Council as a forum for the ministers responsible for gender equality and equality.  

The MEP said the empowerment of women and the protection of women’s rights were a priority for the party. “If we continue at the current pace, it will take at least 50 years until women and men have equal rights and opportunities in this Union. We call for action! Gender equality and women’s rights must be at the heart of EU policies to achieve progress,” Fritzon said. 

This article is part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. This article reflects only the author’s view. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.