Gender Equality

The EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group held a public hearing on protecting women's sexual and reproductive health and rights. Participants in the debate called for free health services, access to contraception, more inclusive policies, and reproductive and sexual education. This debate was organised in collaboration with the EESC Equality Group as part of a series of EESC events following up on the European Parliament's Gender Equality Week initiative.

At its July plenary, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) debated the Commission's draft directive to tackle gender-based violence and gender equality in presence of Cristina Fabre of the European Institute for Gender Equality. The Committee adopted two opinions with recommendations for making the legislation more effective in combatting such an issue of epidemic proportions and demanded for its inclusion in the list of EU crimes.

Final date for applications: 6 September

The European Economic and Social Committee is inviting civil society organisations and individuals across the European Union to apply for its flagship Civil Society Prize. This year, it is honouring initiatives that fight against gender stereotypes by championing equal opportunities for women and men and their equal treatment in all spheres of economic and social life.