Ahead of International Women’s Day this Sunday, Hadja Lahbib told Euronews that the continent remains «50 years away from equality».
During an interview on Euronews’ flagship program Europe Today on Friday, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib stated that the European Commission is «dedicated and ready» to handle the repercussions of escalating tensions in the Middle East.
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The Commission’s «main concern» is the «repatriation» of thousands of Europeans stranded in the Gulf region, Lahbib added.
Lahbib noted that Brussels has activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and has assisted 15 member states in bringing back both tourists caught in the area and residents living there.
Up to now, six repatriation flights have been organized to Bulgaria, Italy, Austria, and Slovakia through this mechanism.
The Commission is simultaneously preparing for a potential humanitarian emergency by stockpiling necessary materials.
«Warehouses are stocked with sleeping bags, tents, medical equipment, and all essential supplies,» Lahbib affirmed, stating that alongside ongoing attacks, the Commission is «closely monitoring various risk factors».
Among these risks are the «nuclear threat from Iran,» as well as concerns over «maritime pollution and large-scale migration movements,» she highlighted.
’50 years away from equality’
The commissioner aims to raise the number of women employed in STEM fields, including science and technology.
Eurostat data in 2023 reveals that women represented only 33.5% of graduates working in STEM areas across Europe. The gender disparity is also evident within the EU, with countries such as the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Finland, Germany, and Hungary showing significant gaps.
The ambition set by Lahbib is to reach one million women working in STEM professions.
«When women are excluded from the design table, inequality becomes embedded in the system,» she explained, emphasizing that this inequality has measurable economic repercussions.
«Labour market inequality costs European countries €390 billion annually. Therefore, to remain competitive, addressing equality in the labour market must be the priority.»
«Our objective is to reshape Europe into a more equitable society.»