Welcoming an ambitious and progressive new EU Gender Strategy

The adoption of the new Gender Equality Strategy 2026–2030 by the European Commission (EC) is a timely, decisive and very welcome step forward for the entire European Union (EU). It affirms the urgency of gender equality as a fundamental human right and as a core pillar of our democratic, social and economic model.

As President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), I particularly welcome the fact that this Strategy builds on the objectives of the Roadmap for Women’s Rights, presented by the EC in 2025. The EESC was the first EU body to endorse the Roadmap, subsequently followed by the EU Institutions and Member States. 

The message of the new Gender Equality Strategy is very clear, as conveyed yesterday by Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu and by Commissioner Hadja Lahbib: gender equality must become a lived right and a lived reality – not in 50 years’ time, but starting today.

I particularly welcome the decision to systematically integrate the gender dimension into all European policies, the emphasis on new challenges, such as online violence against women and girls, as well as the objective of involving more boys and men in promoting equality. 

Much progress is still necessary in closing the pay and pension gaps; guaranteeing women’s equal participation in political, economic and social decision‑making; ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights; eliminating all forms of gender‑based violence, including economic violence; valuing and redistributing unpaid care work; and making the green and digital transitions truly inclusive.

The EESC intends to play an active role in the implementation of a full EU equality agenda. We will use our advisory role, our monitoring capacity and our close partnership with organised civil society to further enhance the implementation of both the Strategy and the Roadmap. We will continue to push for adequate funding, robust enforcement mechanisms, reliable gender‑disaggregated data and meaningful participation of women’s organisations at every stage.

This Strategy is an important milestone, but its success will be judged by the everyday reality of women and girls in Europe. Our shared responsibility now is to turn these commitments into concrete change, so that equality is not only proclaimed in law, but experienced in every aspect of life.