The Party of European Socialists (PES) today joined with Belgian member parties PS Belge and Sp.A to highlight the huge unemployment crisis faced by millions of young women in Europe. The action, which took place in Brussels, on international women’s day, was part of “Women on the Bridge”, a wider event organised by European and Belgian Women’s organisations. The event took place at Brussels canal.

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PES Women President, Zita Gurmai stated that; “Women count too on the labour Market, especially in times of crisis, when women are hit hardest and youth unemployment hits 5.6 million youngsters. We need to highlight the fact that there is a huge impact on society for young women being left without work, and having to survive on minimal financial support”.

PES Women wants with this message to support the PES Campaign 'My future is your Future' calling for European Youth Guarantee. This guarantee would be active after a young person (under 25) has had 4 months of unemployment.

PES General Secretary Philip Cordery emphasised that; “the PES understands just how negative an effect the austerity measures of conservative governments is having on young women’s opportunities to find a job. The PES Youth Guarantee campaign and the need to improve the employment rates of young women is our central campaign for 2012”.

PES Women are concentrating on the gender angle, by saying that women count too and therefore that we need to tackle the causes that lead towards long-term gender gaps: segregation in education, inclusion of women in new jobs such as green jobs/economy and enhance measures for better private-work balance such as maternity leave.

Present at Women on the Bridge; Zita Gurmai, PES Women President, Olga Zrihen, PES Women Vice-President and Vice-President of the PS Belge and Vicky Corbeels, Vice President of Zij-kant Sp.A.