by
Thea Pieridou
Head of the European Parliament Office in Cyprus
International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on 8 March, in memory of a major protest that took place on 8 March 1857 by textile workers in New York, who demanded better working conditions.
In Europe, equality between women and men is one of the fundamental values of the European Union, as enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaties. The EU is a pioneer in addressing gender-based discrimination, and Europe is the region offering women the highest degree of safety and equality in the world.
The European Parliament (EP) has always been very active in promoting equality between men and women and has a permanent committee dedicated to women’s rights and gender equality. The Parliament also frequently adopts own-initiative reports on gender issues, calling for increased efforts to strengthen gender equality.
In recent years, the EP has enacted significant legislation in favour of women and gender equality.
Legislation on Women’s Representation on Boards of Directors
Under the 2022 directive, all large EU-listed companies must take measures to increase the presence of women in their top management. The directive aims to establish transparent recruitment procedures in companies so that at least 40% of non-executive board positions or 33% of all board positions are held by women by July 2026.
Legislation on Pay Transparency
Women in the EU earn on average 11% less than men for the same work (in Cyprus the rate is 11.8%). According to rules approved by MEPs in 2023, large companies in the EU are required to publish data to facilitate comparisons and reveal any gender pay gaps. Companies must take action when the pay gap exceeds 5%. The directive must be implemented by Member States by June 2026.
Violence Against Women: European Legislation for the First Time
This is a historic step that strengthens women’s rights. The 2024 directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence requires Member States to adopt stricter laws against online violence, provide better support for victims, and take measures to prevent rape and strengthen understanding of the concept of consent. The new rules also define female genital mutilation and forced marriage as crimes under European law. Member States have three years to incorporate the new rules into national legislation.
In February 2026, MEPs from the Committees on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) called on the European Commission to propose EU legislation establishing a common definition of rape, based on the principle of free, informed, and revocable consent. Such legislation should complement the 2024 directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence.
Right to Abortion
In a 2024 resolution, MEPs reiterated their call to enshrine the right to abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Following the successful European Citizens’ Initiative “My Voice, My Choice: for Safe and Accessible Abortion”, the European Parliament expressed its support in a December 2025 resolution, calling on the European Commission to improve access to abortion care in Europe through a voluntary solidarity funding mechanism.
The European Parliament works tirelessly to safeguard women’s rights, which are of utmost importance. In the EU, we aim to achieve equality for girls and women in all aspects of their lives: access to education, access to leadership positions in company boards and political life, protection from violence, and equal pay for equal work.
