Press Release: Women’s Day: Europe keeps women’s empowerment high on its global agenda

On the occasion of the International Women's Day on 8 March, which this year carried the theme 'Women and men united to end violence against women and girls', Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner reaffirmed the Commission's continuing political and financial commitment to fight for women rights. Empowerment of women is a topic which continues to be high on the EU's global agenda. In 2008, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner led an initiative of 40 world women leaders from politics, business and civil society that called for a new momentum in the effective implementation of UN Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. Following their recommendation, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon agreed to convene a Ministerial Conference in 2010 to take stock of progress achieved and to examine ways to further enhance the impact of Resolution 1325. Also on the occasion of the International Women's Day, the European Commission launched, under the patronage of Princess Mathilde of Belgium, an international drawing competition for children on gender equality which calls upon children from third countries to express their vision of gender equality. So far almost 60,000 children, aged 8 to 10, from 61 countries from all corners of the globe have participated in the competition.