Gender equality strategy 2026-2030

Key points

The EESC:

• welcomes the gender equality strategy 2026-2030 as a renewed commitment to advancing equality in the European Union, notably at a time of increasing backlash against such goals;
• supports the proposed EU performance and reporting framework under the multiannual financial framework (MFF), which integrates gender equality as a horizontal principle across EU funding programmes, while ensuring proportionate requirements and avoiding unnecessary administrative burdens, particularly for SMEs;
• reiterates the need to strengthen the EU equality framework, including making progress on the proposed horizontal Equal Treatment Directive, and calls for clearer benchmarks, effective monitoring and stronger links between equality objectives and EU policy instruments;
• underlines the importance of clarity and coherence in applying key concepts, including gender equality, intersectionality and gender mainstreaming;
• calls for the protection of civic spaces, including online spaces, and for continued support and funding for civil society organisations working to advance equality and fundamental rights;
• encourages support for teachers and all levels of education systems in addressing discrimination, online hate, disinformation and gender stereotypes;
• encourages efforts to increase men’s participation in female-dominated sectors, such as care work, alongside measures to improve working conditions, career prospects and the attractiveness of these sectors;
• calls on the European Commission to ensure its full and effective transposition and implementation of the Pay Transparency Directive in all Member States;
• acknowledges that women’s participation in decision-making at all levels, including in political, economic and public life, as well as in peace-building and security processes, must be strengthened.