The EESC is the first EU body to endorse the Declaration of principles for a gender-equal society

At its June plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) became the first EU body to formally endorse the Declaration of principles for a gender-equal society, backing the European Commission’s Roadmap for Women’s Rights. This move sends a clear signal that urgent, concrete action is needed to close persistent gender gaps.

Despite progress, women in Europe still face deep-rooted barriers such as unequal pay, limited leadership opportunities, disproportionate care duties, mental health pressures and the threat of violence. These obstacles keep full equality out of reach.

Recent findings from the World Economic Forum show just how steep the climb remains for women. According to its Global Gender Gap Report, it will take another 134 years to close the gender gap worldwide if progress continues at the current pace. This is a stark reminder that faster, stronger action is needed.

EESC President Oliver Röpke stressed this urgency: ‘We don’t have an estimated 134 years to wait for gender equality – and we won’t. Today, the EESC reaffirms its unwavering commitment to closing the gap, standing with our EU and international partners to ensure women’s rights are firmly embedded in every EU policy.'

European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, in a video message, thanked the EESC for its leadership and for being the first EU institution to endorse the roadmap. She pointed out that ‘achieving gender equality takes all of us – political leaders, civil society, Member States and every stakeholder. It is no longer enough to say that equality is at the heart of our Union. We must defend it.’

Belén Sanz Luque, UN Women Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, highlighted the global responsibility in these efforts: ‘Thirty years after the Beijing Platform for Action, social barriers still block gender equality across the world. The EU must lead by example, building stronger solidarity and investing in real progress for women and girls everywhere’.

The Commission’s roadmap sets clear priorities for change

The European Commission’s Roadmap for Women’s Rights, together with its Declaration of principles for a gender-equal society, sets out concrete principles to advance gender equality and protect women’s rights across the Union. It calls on all EU institutions to go beyond promises and to take meaningful action to close persistent gender gaps.

Irena Moozová, Deputy Director-General at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST), highlighted the roadmap’s priorities: ‘Ending violence, closing the pay gap, securing fair work conditions, protecting health and safety, ensuring political participation, respecting private life and guaranteeing inclusive education. Progress in all these areas is essential for real equality.’ This comprehensive plan aims to transform commitments into tangible improvements for women across Europe.

The EESC’s resolution commits to actions, not words

Building on the Commission’s plan, the EESC has backed the Declaration of principles with a resolution that commits to real action.

Rapporteur-General of the EESC resolution on Supporting the Declaration of principles for a gender-equal society, Sif Holst, warned: ‘We see threats to women’s rights grow every day. This resolution is a call to move beyond words and deliver real change. Equality means dignity, democracy and no one left behind. Now is the time for all of us to step up.’

The resolution commits the Committee to tangible actions, including:

• working with others – involving civil society, social partners and young people in shaping policies that are fair for all;
• tackling discrimination where it happens – addressing inequalities that overlap and reinforce each other;
• defending core rights – protecting sexual and reproductive health, fair care systems and stronger democracy; and
• making equality part of decisions – pushing for budgets and policies that respond to everyone’s needs and realities, backed by solid data.

Looking ahead, the EESC will work closely with the EU institutions and the Member States to turn these principles into real progress. President Röpke concluded: ‘This resolution is not the end of the journey. It is a starting point for concrete action, and we will not stop here.’