Women face significant hurdles in European politics, with underrepresentation particularly acute in key decision-making roles.
A member of the European Women’s Lobby has highlighted the persistent gender imbalance in the European Parliament, stating, “Men dominate many committees.” This sentiment is echoed by a female MEP who describes a political landscape where “money and power speak first, and being a woman is a disadvantage.”
Despite a peak of 39.3% female representation in the 2019 European Parliament elections, women remain underrepresented in crucial committees. For instance, women account for only 18% of the Foreign Affairs Committee, 20% of the Budget Committee, and 27% of the Economic Committee.
Achieving gender parity in political representation is a UN Sustainable Development Goal. While global averages show women holding 26.4% of parliamentary seats, Europe lags behind regions like Africa and the Americas.
The political spectrum offers contrasting perspectives on gender equality. While left-wing parties emphasize the need for policies that address gender-based inequalities, some far-right groups, despite including women in leadership positions, often hold views that are hostile to women’s rights.
Experts agree that closing the gender gap in Europe requires increased female labor force participation, equal pay, and greater representation of women in decision-making roles.
From: Euronews