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.

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. EESC President Oliver Röpke stressed this urgency: ‘We don’t have 134 years to wait for gender equality – and we won’t. 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.’

In a video message, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, thanked the EESC for its leadership, stating: ‘Achieving gender equality takes all of us. 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, added: ‘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 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 EU: ending gender-based violence, closing the pay gap, ensuring fair working conditions, protecting health, promoting political participation and supporting inclusive education.

To support these goals, the EESC adopted a resolution committing to real action. It pledges to work with civil society and young people, address overlapping discrimination, defend key rights such as access to reproductive health and care systems, and push for inclusive policies backed by data. The EESC will now work closely with EU institutions and Member States to turn these principles into real progress. (gb)