An Olympian swimmer in her youth, Commissioner Marta Kos is not afraid of swimming against the tide. As Commissioner for European Enlargement, the growing tide she is now faced with is the rise of autocracy threatening Europe’s democratic order.
At the forefront of the EU’s strategy to curb foreign interference and strengthen European values, she has seen how Russia spent hundreds of millions to undermine pro-European democratic forces during the elections in Moldova. She has witnessed the ongoing fight for Ukrainian freedom and monitored democratic backsliding in the Western Balkans, as well as growing illiberal tendencies within some EU member states.
Amid these efforts, the ongoing concern is that the most vocal and proactive defenders of democracy are being silenced. Speaking at the Alliance Of Her 10th Anniversary Summit in Brussels, Kos delivered a powerful warning:
“Women’s rights are always among the first to go when a society takes an autocratic turn.”
This is because, “Autocrats fear strong women,” she told the theatre packed with Alliance Of Her alumnae and allies. “Because women’s empowerment always leads to fairer, better and stronger societies.”
Women represent half of the world’s population. Can we say we live in a free and democratic society if women are not equally represented in leadership and in politics?
In this sense, supporting female leaders has become a not-so-secret weapon in the Commissioner’s arsenal.
Building a culture of equality
Three pillars are essential to resisting authoritarianism: the rule of law, free media and a strong civil society.
“We need judges and prosecutors who act when votes are bought or European funds end up in the pockets of officials,” Kos explained. “We need people who are free to speak up and take to the streets when governments take the wrong turn.”
Freedom is not merely defended on battlefields or in parliaments, but also in classrooms, newsrooms and community halls, wherever women raise their voices and claim space.
But gender equality cannot be achieved through legislation alone. True democratic resilience requires changing culture, attitudes and opportunities on the ground.
“It is not only about legislation, not at all. That's why in the process of enlargement we are looking for alliances with civil society organisations and with powerful women. We are talking to the young generation. We’re not just saying: you have to introduce this law, but what would this law bring to your country?” Kos said.
“We need journalists who can uncover corruption without fear. In Moldova they told me, ‘A free press is a matter of national security.’”
Before entering politics, noticing the strong absence of women in the media in her home country of Slovenia, Kos co-founded Ona Ve (“She Knows”), dedicated to elevating women experts in public discourse. The name signals confidence and authority, qualities women are too often asked to prove repeatedly.
Beyond encouraging accession countries to introduce policies and laws that promote gender equality, we need to go deeper to support a culture of equality in actually taking root.
“We need strong societies where women and civil society are driving forces for change and for democracy. In the last year, I have met groups of powerful women all over Europe. Fearless women. Women leading change. In Belgrade, in Chisinau, in Kyiv. But also, within the EU, in Prague, Paris and The Hague.”
Women must be at the table
The accession of Ukraine has been one of the most intensely debated enlargement issues in the last months.
We don’t know when we will finally see an end to this terrible war. But what a number of studies have shown is that peacebuilding and transition processes in which women are actively involved are more likely to lead to sustainable, lasting peace. But how can we ensure women have a seat at the negotiating table?
“Helping women to be more empowered to go into politics, developing mentoring systems, and also getting men involved as allies are key,” Kos said, pointing to the work of the Alliance Of Her Ukraine Mission in 2024-25.
The theme of this year’s Alliance Of Her Summit “Her Power, Our Freedom,” is a rallying call which resonated strongly with Kos:
“If we waited for society to balance itself, we’d wait another thousand years. Above all, women must be courageous. If you don’t enter politics, you can’t claim leadership. Be active. Organise. Run for office. And Lead! No one else will do it for you.”
Why are women so important for building a strong, peaceful democracy? Perhaps it’s because, like Kos, women are used to swimming against the tide. But what many realised at the Summit is that we don’t have to swim alone.
Liked this interview? In our new special edition of the Liberal Bulletin marking the 10th Anniversary of the Alliance Of Her, there’s even more exclusive content with the liberal women making a difference.
Read more from the Liberal Bulletin here.