Von der Leyen calls for constitutional parity after 50 years of gender progress
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has spoken out on gender equality, praising women's strikes while acknowledging ongoing challenges. Her comments come as Germany marks 50 years since Iceland's historic 1975 women's strike, a turning point for political representation across Europe.
Despite progress in education and corporate roles, women remain underrepresented in leadership positions and executive boards. Von der Leyen also highlighted the need for family-friendly political environments to boost female participation in parliament.
The 1975 women's strike in Iceland set a precedent for gender equality movements. Since then, political representation in Europe has climbed steadily. In Germany, female lawmakers grew from 10.5% in 1976 to 36.4% by 2025. Sweden saw an even sharper rise, from 14% to 46% in the same period. EU-wide, the average jumped from around 12% in the mid-1970s to 34% today, driven by quotas and policy reforms.
Yet gaps persist. Germany's Basic Law guarantees equal rights, but implementation remains incomplete. Pay disparities and low numbers of women in executive roles continue. Even in the Bundestag, female representation fell after the last election—a decline shared across parties, not just the AfD.
Von der Leyen supports women's strikes for equal rights, though she did not prioritise them personally. She praised Chancellor Friedrich Merz for advancing gender quotas within the CDU. Labour laws requiring union leadership for strikes, she argued, do not hinder effective protest.
She called for deeper debate on achieving parliamentary parity through constitutional means. Family-friendly political structures, she added, would help more women enter and stay in public office.
The 1975 Icelandic strike reshaped gender equality policies, yet key issues remain unresolved in Germany. Women still earn less and hold fewer top positions. Von der Leyen's push for constitutional parity and family-friendly politics aims to address these gaps.
Current data shows progress in education and supervisory boards, but leadership roles lag behind. The call for systemic change reflects broader demands for fair pay and equal representation in decision-making.
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