The European Parliament pays tribute to International Women's Day

International Women’s Day is held every year on 8 March. This year Parliament has selected women refugees as its theme and it also features on the plenary agenda this week. On Tuesday MEPs debate and vote on a report on women refugees, drafted by Mary Honeyball (S&D, UK). MEPs debate the current refugee crisis with Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for refugees, focussing on the situation of women. Follow the plenary session live online.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2016, the European Parliament and #Dysturb have joined forces to raise awareness about women refugees who have been forced on a journey through Europe to escape their war-torn countries. Photo: Almo Calmo ©Dysturb 2016
The Displaced exhibition features photos of women refugees travelling to Europe. Photo: Olmo Calmo ©Dysturb 2016

Women refugees


On Tuesday from 9.30 CET MEPs debate and vote on a report drafted by Mary Honeyball (S&D, UK), urging member states to adopt EU-wide measures to better meet the needs of women refugees. 

Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for refugees addresses the plenary at 11.30 CET. 

 

Promoting gender equality in the Parliament


On Monday 7 March, MEPs debate a report, drafted by Angelika Mlinar (ALDE, Austria) on how to promote gender equality in the Parliament. The vote takes place on Tuesday.   


On International Women’s Day on 8 March MEPs debate the socio-economic situation of women in Europe.


Events in the Parliament


Parlamentarium, Parliament's visitors centre in Brussels, is hosting a photo exhibition on women refugees throughout their journey across Europe. Parliament had asked award winning photojournalist Marie Dorigny, from France,  to create a photo reportage on the matter. The Displaced exhibition can be visited for free until 1 June 2016.


Parliament's women's rights committee organised an interparliamentary committee meeting on 3 March where MEPs and their national counterparts discussed how to combat violence against women refugees, their situation in healthcare and measures to promote their integration.


Watch the video of the meeting: first part and the second part.


Following the plenary session live online


You can follow the debates and votes of the plenary session live online by visiting http://www.europarl.europa.eu/plenary/en/home.html.


Follow what MEPs have to say on International Women's Day with the help of our Newshub, bringing you the latest updates.

Find out more

Media enquiries

  • Maja Orel Schwarz: (+32) 2 28 32357 Mobile number (+32) 473 86 49 74 maja.orel@europarl.europa.eu

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