Equality between women and men is one of the fundamental values of the European Union enshrined in our treaties. Our Union is a pioneer in tackling gender-based discrimination and we can be proud of the progress achieved: Europe is one of the safest and most equal places for women in the world, IPN reports, with reference to a statement issued by the European Commission.

A joint statement on the occasion of the International Women’s Day 2018 says the path to full equality in practice is still a long one. Women and girls still face harassment, abuse and violence. And women are still too often prevented from breaking the glass ceiling, receiving lower pay and fewer opportunities for career and business development.

“We want girls and women to achieve equality in all aspects of life: access to education, equal pay for equal work, access to top positions in companies and politics as well as protection from violence,” reads the statement.

The International Women’s Day is annually celebrated on March 8 to commemorate the social and political accomplishments and the economic conditions of women. This was instituted in 1977 by a resolution of the UN General Assembly. The holiday was first celebrated on February 28, 1909 in New York to remember a women’s trade union strike of 1908.