Social Rights

 Women play an invaluable role in building a fairer and more inclusive future for everyone, both in Europe and across the world.

However, women continue to experience unequal treatment at work, with the gender pay gap remaining prevalent across Europe. The current cost-of-living crisis has a particularly adverse impact on women who are more likely to occupy insecure, part-time and low-paid jobs. Generally, women are more likely than men to live in poverty – a situation that affects a wide range of their rights. Notably, financial insecurity is a key factor that affects women’s ability to escape situations of domestic violence.

Today, on International Women’s Day, as President of the European Committee of Social Rights, and on behalf of the Committee, I celebrate the achievements of women as equal partners in European society. The European Social Charter makes clear that women must enjoy their rights on an equal basis to men in all contexts, including employment, social protection, housing and health. It is crucial that States Parties to the Charter place women’s full and equal enjoyment of all European Social Charter rights front and centre in their law and policy-making.