EU underlines commitment to promote women's rights

The EU Sunday said it remains at the forefront of those advancing women's rights inside Europe and in relations with third countries.
"We have made a lot of progress, but many gaps still exist. Women earn less and own less than men and they are still underrepresented," said first vice-president of the European Commission Frans Timmermans, EU High-Representative Federica Mogherini and five other EU Commissioners in a joint statement to mark International Womenآ’s Day.
"Our commitment in this new Commission is to work together across policy areas and across borders to fight gender inequality. Women should have the same chances as men to study, to choose the careers and family lives they want, and to live free from the threat of violence," it noted.
On its part, the International Criminal Court (ICC) said it joins many around the world in marking International Womenآ’s Day and reaffirms its commitment to accountability for perpetrators of gender-based crimes.
"We cannot and must not remain silent. Our collective voice to speak up for the victims, our will to act, our resolve to end the cycle of violence against women and our commitment to hold perpetrators accountable through a robust and credible judicial process must remain firm and unabated," said the Hague-based court in a statement.
"On this International Womenآ’s Day, the Court calls for greater support from states and other stakeholders worldwide and urges them to declare with one voice that sexual and gender-based crimes will no longer be tolerated" it added.