The conference on Women in the Labour Market organised by the EESC to mark International Women's Day was held on 8 March under the shadow of the war. The participants paid tribute to the remarkable Ukrainian women for their strength, bravery and resilience.

In her opening address, EESC president Christa Schweng referred to the Ukrainian women and girls who are being forced to leave their country, putting them at heightened risk of violence.

In the same vein, the president of the ad hoc Group on Equality and EESC member, Maria Nikolopoulou, highlighted: "Women, mothers, spouses are stuck in a war zone, many of them are becoming soldiers themselves, others are trying to escape from the atrocities of the attacks. We join our voices with the civil societies that demand an end to the war, in all countries".

The COVID-19 pandemic has further widened the gender employment gap and it has also contributed to a surge in violence and harassment at work.

Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, announced that the European Commission would present a proposal for a directive on combatting violence against women and domestic violence that would be binding for all Member States.

Regarding the artificial intelligence sector, women make up only 16% of the workforce, which leaves the 84% of men to take all the decisions and the lead. "If women are absent from these sectors, this means our whole new world will be fashioned by men, with their possible bias", said Ms Schweng.  (at)