International Women’s Day
In ‘Humans in the EU’ we believe in gender equality, in a world that is diverse, inclusive and free of discrimination. We are celebrating International Women's Day, which means that we will be sharing with you the most inspiring stories we've featured on 'Humans in the EU' so far.
Kuchnia Konfliktu
Jarmiła Rybicka has spent the last few years finding ways to support female refugees in Poland. Kuchnia Konfliktu, where she works now, is a bistro that provides a safe, dignified job, a chance to share excellent cuisine, and a space for dialogue between refugees and residents of Warsaw.
As Jarmiła said: “I lived through the war. I know how easy it is to unleash hatred." In light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, we want to stress that, especially now, any help that we can provide for the refugees makes a difference. Let’s #StandWithUkraine together. 🇺🇦
Lema Afzal
Lema Afzal is one of the Afghan women across the world, who as a protest against the Taliban dress code, turned to social media to showcase their traditional clothing - using the hashtag #DoNotTouchMyClothes.
“Growing up in Belgium, I always felt like the odd one out. I knew that I looked different from the other children, that I had different traditions and ate different food at home. Sometimes kids would use racial slurs against me, but it didn’t bother me that much. I love being Afghan. It is a lot of fun to be Afghan. I think we have the best food, the most fun weddings and the most beautiful culture. Now that I am in my twenties, I am completely at peace with the fact that I am different. I am Asian and Afghan, but I am also European and Belgian”.
Margrethe Vestager
Margrethe Vestager is the Executive Vice President of the European Commission for ‘A Europe Fit for the Digital Age’. We want to share with you her way of dealing with lockdown and stress - sewing.
“When the lockdown began, I would come to the office everyday, but it was dead quiet. Then I would go home and sit on the terrace, there were nightingales singing, and it was beautiful, but the city was dead quiet, too. No cars, no voices, no people going from A to B, there was nothing, and I felt incredibly lonely - like I was the only one on this planet. That really scared me. So I sewed, a lot.”
Separation by Laura Pannack
“Human touch is a basic need and when the pandemic hit, these images took on a different form but with the same message: We need our loved ones.
I was first commissioned to make a project on Brexit and my first thought was how to humanise a political subject and make it accessible to anyone. So, I chose love.
We can all relate to the desire to connect with others and the pain of separation conjures up a world of emotions: anxiety, rejection, fear, isolation, loss, heartache and vulnerability.
The Corona crisis has separated us not just physically from our partners and families but also from the world as we know it."
