Renew Europe MEPs hosted a public online hearing today, bringing together Members of Parliament, civil society and data experts, to discuss the significant impacts the Covid-19 pandemic has had on women and girls – from an increase in domestic violence, to women in frontline healthcare jobs, and women charged with unequal sharing of care at home, to the problem of access to sexual and reproductive rights.
Initiator of the event MEP Samira Rafaela (D66, The Netherlands) stressed the urgent need to put this topic high on the legislative agenda and said that the EU’s recovery response must as well be equal and inclusive:
“As the European Commission’s recovery plans are being set in motion, we must not forget the importance of women’s rights in all this. Yes, make this recovery green. Yes, make this recovery digital. But make this recovery equal and inclusive too. This is how we build a better future for Europe!”
Coordinator of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Irène Tolleret (Renaissance, France) added:
“Women’s rights and gender equality must be at the top of the European political agenda. Renew Europe made two strong proposals: the Simone Veil Pact to harmonise and exchange best practices on women's rights among EU Member States, and the establishment of a dedicated Council configuration on Gender Equality. European women cannot wait any longer. Let’s act!”
You can watch again today’s online hearing: here.
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