Kamala Harris calls on countries to 'build a world that works for women' in speech to European Parliament

March is a month dedicated to celebrating women, with March 8 being International Women’s Day. In honor of the special day, Vice President Kamala Harris called on the European Parliament to build a world that would work for women in her address to the event.

Celebrating International Women’s Day in an event that aimed towards empowering women and honoring women’s leadership during the pandemic, Harris made a speech noting the contributions women have made in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic while stressing the need to build a world that works for women. The Vice President herself made history by becoming the first woman, first Black woman, and first South Asian woman to become the US Vice President, and noted the women leaders like Simone Veil, the first woman to be elected president of the Parliament.

“Today, the global crises we now face have made abundantly clear both the contributions of women and the challenges facing women,” said Harris. “Simply put: The world does not yet work for women as it should,”

“I believe we must ensure women’s safety at home and in every community. We must ensure that women can access high-quality healthcare, and that those health needs particular to women are addressed. We must treat women with dignity at work, and put in place the structures needed so that women can both care for their families and excel in the workforce. Finally, we must give women equal voice in decision-making, for this is essential to free and fair democracies,” added the Vice President.

Harris stressed that this would not be an act of goodwill, but rather a show of strength which would result in a world that is safer and more prosperous.

Recently, Harris spoke with actor Michael B. Jordan as a special opener to the 2021 NBA All-Star Game. Harris and Jordan talked about her days as a student at Howard University, as well as the ongoing pandemic and the vaccine rollout. The Vice President praised the NBA for celebrating HBCUs as well as her favorite NBA team Golden State Warriors. Harris also shared a funny incident involving the special jersey given to her by the team, with a number 49 on the front to mark her being the 49th Vice President.