'They are weaker, they are smaller, they are less intelligent.'
No, those aren't words from a Victorian textbook expounding outdated - and just plain incorrect - views on the differences between men and women. They're actual comments made by one Polish Member of European Parliament at a debate on the gender pay gap this week. Eye roll.
First arguing that there are no women amongst the top female physicists in Poland, then adding that there are no women in the world's top 100 chess players (hmmm...), 71-year-old Polish MEP Janusz Korwin Mikke, a right-wing politician known for his inflammatory views, went on to state that: '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.'
Members of the chamber were quick to condemn his statement, with Spanish MEP Iratxe Garcia Perez stepping up to effortlessly take down her misogynistic colleague, affirming that - whatever bizarre and outdated stance he might take on gender equality - women have the same rights as men, like it or not.
'According to what you're saying and your theory I don't have the right to be here as a member of parliament,' she said.
'And I know it hurts you, I know it hurts and worries you that today women can sit in this house and represent European citizens with the same rights as you,' she added, before concluding that 'I am here to defend European women against men like you.'
The most brilliant clap back to sexism, no?
Korwin Mikke's comments have in fact sparked an enquiry by the European Parliament, who released a statement saying that 'President Antonio Tajani has started an investigation which may result in sanctions against Polish MEP Janusz Korwin-Mikke for sexist remarks made during the plenary session on Wednesday night.'
'Penalties range from a reprimand to a fine and temporary suspension.'
READ MORE: We Will Have To Wait 24 Years For The Gender Pay Gap To Close