A controversial Polish member of the European Parliament has claimed that women should earn less than men as they are "smaller, weaker and less intelligent" than men.
During a debate on gender pay gap, Janusz Korwin-Mikke who represents the remote region of Silesia said, "Of course women must earn less than men because they are weaker, they are smaller and they are less intelligent, they must earn less, that‘s all."
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His statement gave rise to criticism from other members of the chamber. A Spanish politician Iratxe Garcia-Perez questioned if Korwin-Mikke's statement meant that being a woman, she shouldn't be in the chamber as a member of parliament
“And I know that it hurts you and bothers you that today women can sit in the House to represent citizens with the same rights as you. I am here to defend all European women from men like you,” she said.
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Some female members of the European Parliament took to Twitter to express their views regarding the controversial statement.
MEP Korwin-Mikke's comments in #EPlenary are not only offensive to women, they betray the values of the entire EU.
No home for #misogyny.
MEP Korwin-Mikke's comments in #EPlenary are not only offensive to women, they betray the values of the entire EU.
— Roberta Metsola MEP (@RobertaMetsola) March 2, 2017
No home for #misogyny.
MEP Korwin-Mikke's comments in #EPlenary r unacceptable. This mentality is not only detrimental 2 #women but 2 society as a whole. #equality
— Miriam Dalli (@Miriamdalli) March 2, 2017 ">MEP Korwin-Mikke's comments in #EPlenary r unacceptable. This mentality is not only detrimental 2 #women but 2 society as a whole. #equality
— Miriam Dalli (@Miriamdalli) March 2, 2017
Men & Women deserve equal pay for equal work...It's time that society treats everyone equally. It's time that we all stood up to be counted! https://t.co/QtRHifsWrv
— Miriam Dalli (@Miriamdalli) March 2, 2017 ">Men & Women deserve equal pay for equal work...It's time that society treats everyone equally. It's time that we all stood up to be counted! https://t.co/QtRHifsWrv
— Miriam Dalli (@Miriamdalli) March 2, 2017
Soon after Korwin-Mikke's statement, the European Parliament began an investigation against him, which according to reports, could lead to the parliamentarian being penalised or temporarily suspended. Known for his sexist views and controversial remarks, the Polish MEP earlier denied the women right to vote, stating that they "want to be led by men."
This article originally appeared on RT.
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