From integrated cooperation to new forms of linked cooperation
António Rebelo de Sousa
Concerning Portuguese women
António Rebelo de Sousa
Equality and the long road ahead
José Manuel Fernandes
Portuguese MEP, professor and politician
March the 8th
is a day we celebrate to remind ourselves of the progress we’ve made, but also
to make sure we don’t forget how far we still have to go.
In 1906, Finland was the first European country to recognise women’s right to vote. In Portugal, the fight for universal suffrage began in 1931. At first, only women with a university degree and who were the heads of their families could vote. Then, in 1968, the right to vote was extended to everyone who could read and write – unfortunately, the majority of women were not educated. It was only after the 25th of April revolution that the right to vote became universal.
In the first local elections in 1976, five women were elected as mayors. Today, almost 50 years later, there are only 29 women mayors. Thanks to the quotas imposed by law, we have an increase in their representation, albeit not enough, in the Portuguese Parliament and in the municipal governments. At the European level, we have good examples – just take a look at the top positions all led by women: the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola; the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen and the President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde.
Nowadays, women are in the majority in higher education, have increased their presence in managerial positions and are increasingly taking part in sports that not so long ago were «only for men». However, there is still a long way to go.
Women make up the majority of the population, are better educated and represent half of the workforce, but in the EU, they earn – on average – 16% less than men, have lower pensions (around 43.2%) and a higher unemployment rate. At home, women do more than 75% of the housework. In addition, women are farther away from positions of power: only 7.5% of CEOs and 7.7% of executive directors are women. Domestic violence is higher among women. Last year alone, domestic violence killed 17 women and 2 girls. These are shocking figures in the 21st century, in an evolved country.
We have clearly made progress, but the road is still a long one. We have women at the top in every sector: science and innovation, entrepreneurship, education and health. We have the conditions to permanently eliminate unequal treatment of men and women. Reality demands that we move quickly to bring this change about and that we pass good, assertive legislation. But more than legislating, reality demands a cultural and collective change in mentalities.
In 1906, Finland was the first European country to recognise women’s right to vote. In Portugal, the fight for universal suffrage began in 1931. At first, only women with a university degree and who were the heads of their families could vote. Then, in 1968, the right to vote was extended to everyone who could read and write – unfortunately, the majority of women were not educated. It was only after the 25th of April revolution that the right to vote became universal.
In the first local elections in 1976, five women were elected as mayors. Today, almost 50 years later, there are only 29 women mayors. Thanks to the quotas imposed by law, we have an increase in their representation, albeit not enough, in the Portuguese Parliament and in the municipal governments. At the European level, we have good examples – just take a look at the top positions all led by women: the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola; the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen and the President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde.
Nowadays, women are in the majority in higher education, have increased their presence in managerial positions and are increasingly taking part in sports that not so long ago were «only for men». However, there is still a long way to go.
Women make up the majority of the population, are better educated and represent half of the workforce, but in the EU, they earn – on average – 16% less than men, have lower pensions (around 43.2%) and a higher unemployment rate. At home, women do more than 75% of the housework. In addition, women are farther away from positions of power: only 7.5% of CEOs and 7.7% of executive directors are women. Domestic violence is higher among women. Last year alone, domestic violence killed 17 women and 2 girls. These are shocking figures in the 21st century, in an evolved country.
We have clearly made progress, but the road is still a long one. We have women at the top in every sector: science and innovation, entrepreneurship, education and health. We have the conditions to permanently eliminate unequal treatment of men and women. Reality demands that we move quickly to bring this change about and that we pass good, assertive legislation. But more than legislating, reality demands a cultural and collective change in mentalities.
