By Maria Nikolopoulou, member of the EESC Workers' Group

This year's commemoration of International Women's Day is marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Both events make it clear that women's rights come crashing down during times of political, social and economic instability.

We have seen that female workers were hit harder by the loss of employment during the pandemic, were unevenly affected in terms of work-life balance while teleworking and domestic violence has risen during lockdowns. Structural inequalities that existed before the pandemic were exacerbated.

The war reshuffles priorities and the fight to survive has to come first. Women in their different roles, mothers, carers, workers, fighters, refugees, will suffer physically and psychologically and their only option is to keep resisting and move on.

The Trade Union movement and the EESC Workers' Group's will and duty is to stand in solidarity with all the women whose survival and rights are currently under attack. Women of the world unite to restore peace and build a fair and prosperous future for all!