6 Things Europe Has Done For Women

What has the EU have ever done for women?

1. Bans discrimination between women and men at work

The EU has banned discrimination between women and men in the workplace. Women who become pregnant cannot be treated differently and have the right to take paid leave from work to visit a doctor.

2. Works to close the gender pay gap

Women in Europe still earn on average one sixth less than men. The EU has enshrined the principle of equal pay for equal work into law and now aims to eliminate the gender pay gap completely.

3. Gives all mothers in Europe the right to maternity leave

Thanks to the EU all mothers across Europe have the right to at least 14 weeks maternity leave and a minimum of 4 months off to care for new-born children. UKIP have threatened to scrap these hard-won protections if the UK leaves.

4. Leads international efforts to end FGM

Over 200 million girls and women worldwide are victims of female genital mutilation (FGM). The EU is at the forefront of international efforts to end FGM, both within Europe and around the world. These include supporting charities who combat FGM in developing countries, training health professionals and ensuring those responsible are prosecuted.

5. Supports victims of human trafficking

There were around 30,000 victims of human trafficking in Europe last year, 80% of whom were women. Previously many trafficking victims were treated as criminals and deported. Now under EU law trafficked women must be given the help they need including safe accommodation and healthcare.

6. Leads pioneering research into new cures for diseases

The EU's science programmes allow researchers to work together across Europe to discover life-saving cures to diseases. The EU invested €160 million in breast cancer research from 2007 to 2013 and is investing millions more now under its current research programme.

The fight for gender equality is far from over. But recent years have shown we can achieve so much more when we work together with our European partners. So join our campaign to stay in together so we can continue building a stronger, safer and more equal future for women wherever they live in Europe!