Today, on the sidelines of the EPP Congress in Valencia, the EPP Women organized a powerful event under the theme “Digital Literacy for a Competitive Europe”, highlighting the transformative role of digital skills in empowering women across the EU.
Chaired by Mariya Gabriel, EPP and EPP Women Vice-President, and former European Commissioner, the event brought together high-level speakers and participants passionate about building a more competitive, inclusive, and connected Europe.
Carmen Kiefer, Vice-President of the EPP CoR and Member of Kuchl Municipal Council in Salzburg also stressed the importance of a localized approach: "In Salzburg, we care deeply about the specificity of our rural communities. We understand that digital transformation must be rooted in local needs, values, and opportunities. That is why we are working toward launching regional programs aimed at digitally empowering rural women and girls in a sustainable and ethical way. This vision is anchored in our commitment to the Principle of Subsidiarity. We believe in partnership between regions, municipalities, schools, civil society, and women themselves to build initiatives that are locally driven, ethically guided, and practically effective."
Sari Rautio, President of the EPP-CoR added a strong and emotional call to action: "Progress must be just and inclusive. When we invest in rural women, we build stronger economies, more resilient families, and inspire a new generation of girls to lead. Across Europe, rural women are not just catching up — they are leading. It is our job to give them the tools, the trust, and the territories to thrive."
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, highlighted that digital tools offer unprecedented opportunities for women's financial independence, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and lifelong learning — but warned that without strong policies, the digital divide between rural and urban, and between men and women, risks deepening.
She underlined the need for place-based digital empowerment programs, respecting local needs and values, and emphasized that cohesion policy is key to ensuring that every village and every woman has a fair chance to thrive in Europe's digital future.
The event concluded with a shared commitment: Europe’s competitiveness depends on inclusion, resilience, and trust. By empowering women through digital literacy, the EPP Women are shaping a future that is not only innovative but compassionate — a future where no one is left behind