Time.news – “I am the first woman to be the President of the European Commission and as such I expected to be treated when I was in Turkey two weeks ago, but that was not the case” and “I conclude that it happened because I am a woman “and in front of the missing chair” I felt hit and alone “.
This was stated by the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during a debate in the European Parliament. “What would have happened if I had worn a jacket and tie?” Asked the president. “When I arrived at the meeting – recalled von der Leyen – there were cameras in the room and thanks to them the video went viral. There was no need for subtitles or explanations, the images spoke for themselves”, he concluded.
“I didn’t see any shortage of chairs in the photos from previous meetings. But again, I didn’t see any women in these photos either,” continued von der Leyen.
“I felt hurt and left alone: as a woman and as a European. Because it is not a question of seating arrangements or protocol. This goes to the core of who we are. This is in favor of the values that our Union represents. And this shows how far we still have to go before women are treated equally. Anytime, anywhere “, he highlighted.
“Of course, I know I am in a privileged position. I am the president of a highly respected institution around the world. And more importantly, as a leader, I can speak up and be heard. But what about millions of women who don’t. Can they? Women, who are injured every day in every corner of our planet but have neither the power nor the charge to speak up? “, added the president of the European Commission.
“When I arrived at the meeting, there were cameras in the room. Thanks to them, the short video of my arrival quickly went viral and made headlines around the world. There was no need for subtitles. There was no need for translations. The pictures spoke for themselves, “he explained.
“But we all know: Thousands of similar incidents, most of them much more serious, go unnoticed. Nobody sees or hears about them. Because there is no camera. Because no one is paying attention. We have to make sure that these stories too. are told “, he stressed.
“Dialogue if there is respect for women’s rights”
“Respect for women’s rights is the sine qua non for the resumption of dialogue with Turkey”, but “it is not the only condition”, for example, “a de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean and respect for sentences are also needed. of the European Court of Human Rights “said the president of the European Commission.
“Women occupy 40% of executive posts in the European Commission”, added the president, returning to the debate on gender rights that began after the breakup. “The Commission will soon organize a meeting with the other institutions to understand how we can do better” because “women are 50% of society and this must also be respected in the institutions”, concluded the president.
“Demonstrated how far parity is”
“My visit to Turkey showed how far we still have to go before women are treated equally. Always. Everywhere.” This was stated by the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in the debate at the European Parliament on ‘sofagate’. “My story has made headlines. But there are so many stories of women, most of them much more serious, that go unnoticed. We need to make sure these stories are told too,” she added.
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