This kind of negligence has serious consequences, she said, since “inequality tramples women's rights, and it is a democratic and social problem.”

Furthermore, Björk called for urgent action: “It is so incredibly clear that we live in a society where women do not have equal access to power and resources as men. This is something that we must change.”

“We have a lot of work ahead of us, and to make any progress in gender equality, we need political vision and concrete commitments. That is why the Council and the Parliament want a fully-fledged gender equality strategy.”

“The Commission is now blocking the development of a gender strategy; this is evidence of autocracy and patriarchal arrogance. No, we do not want to go back to previous centuries in which women were oppressed. It's time to move forward, it's time for an overhaul of the Commission

“It's time to throw the patriarchal yoke away and create a more feminist Europe” Björk continued. “That is what men and women in Europe are expecting. A new gender equality strategy is a first step.” she concluded.

Following the debate, the resolution was voted and carried by a large majority.

GUE/NGL Press Contact:
Nikki Sullings  +32 22 83 27 60 / +32 483 03 55 75
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
European United Left / Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL)
European Parliamentary Group
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