Dr. Ebadi has long advocated for women’s rights in Iran. They attempted to put them down. They were imprisoned. These folks were exiled without their will. But they persisted in fighting valiantly day in and day out.
The president commended his outstanding leadership. He accomplished an excellent feat. Several ladies are now fighting alongside him. And the Iranian women have the entire globe in awe.
More and more women are making the decision to reject the restrictions of a system that does not value them equally. They remove their head coverings.
And as a result, they are harassed, imprisoned, or even killed. They are also creating a trail. For their mothers, daughters, and sisters.
Women all over the world are moved and inspired by the struggle and bravery of Iranian women. So while the difficulties individuals confront may differ from one another, the rights that the EU pursues are the same.
The most fundamental of all rights comes first: the right to be free from violence. This continues to be a worldwide curse, even in Europe.
To ensure that it is never okay to beat a woman, that it is never okay to mutilate a girl’s body, and that no always means no, a lot of work needs to be done to change everyone’s mindset.
This is why the EU is working hard to guarantee equal protection for all women throughout all of Europe.
Gender equality does not ‘just happen. even in nations without morals watchdogs. Progress is elusive and readily reversible. To ensure that women and girls are free from violence, that both men and women can have a family and a job. That women earn the same as their male coworkers because they deserve it. And that women do advance to the very top levels because they are competent, it takes daily effort and devotion.
The President justified this by stating that we have a responsibility to show society and the economy what a world with equal opportunities looks like. And not just on International Women’s Day, this duty is important every day.
Beyond the law, girls and women need role models. Ladies who pave the way for others.
The President used Captain Cristoforetti as an example. The first Italian woman astronaut was not something I ever imagined as a child, he claimed. I simply desired to be an astronaut.
She clarified that all one needed to do was pursue her dreams. He achieved success through hard work and enthusiasm. And now, he serves as a role model for girls. They can aim for the stars just like him.
Examples like Captain Cristoforetti and Dr. Ebadi motivate us. President Vonderleyen said that this fundamental objective was not because women are superior.
But rather because they are different and, very simply, because it is the proper thing to do. Now is the moment for a world with fair chances and equal rights. For all of us, not just women.