Gender equality cannot wait: EESC calls for stronger action to turn commitments into results

Gender equality is not only a fundamental EU value, but also a driver of economic growth, competitiveness and democratic resilience, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) says in its opinion on the Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030, adopted during its July plenary session. 

The opinion on the Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030 welcomes the European Commission’s renewed commitment to advancing equality in the European Union at a time of growing backlash against equality policies and fundamental rights. However, the Committee warns that ambition alone is not enough: the success of the new strategy will depend on implementation, monitoring and measurable results across all Member States. 

As rapporteur Juliane Marie Neiiendam explains: "Europe has already made strong commitments to gender equality. The challenge now is to turn those commitments into action. Gender equality is not only a fundamental value - it is one of Europe's greatest opportunities. It benefits everyone. When everyone has the opportunity to contribute according to their talents and potential, Europe becomes more competitive, more resilient and more democratic." 

From commitments to implementation

The EESC stresses that the main weakness of the previous Gender Equality Strategy was not a lack of ambition, but uneven and inadequate implementation across Member States. It therefore calls for clearer benchmarks, stronger monitoring and better links between equality objectives and EU policy instruments, including the European Semester, EU funding programmes and rule of law monitoring. 

The Committee supports the proposed EU performance and reporting framework under the multiannual financial framework, which integrates gender equality as a horizontal principle across EU funding programmes. At the same time, it insists that reporting requirements must remain proportionate and avoid unnecessary administrative burdens, particularly for SMEs. 

Labour market inclusion and economic independence

For the EESC, women’s economic independence is a cornerstone of gender equality. Persistent gaps in employment, pay, career progression and pensions continue to reflect structural inequalities, including the unequal distribution of care responsibilities. The Committee therefore calls for stronger action to support women’s labour market participation, improve access to quality jobs and address horizontal and vertical segregation. 

The opinion highlights the potential of the Pay Transparency Directive to help close the gender pay gap by strengthening the principle of equal pay for work of equal value. The EESC regrets that only a limited number of Member States have transposed the Directive within the deadline and calls on the Commission to ensure its full and effective implementation. 

Care, work and social dialogue

The EESC also underlines the importance of implementing the European Care Strategy and welcomes the Commission’s announcement of a European Care Deal, which should be developed in consultation with civil society and social partners. Better access to affordable, high-quality care services, a fairer sharing of care responsibilities and improved working conditions in the care sector are essential to prevent care needs from falling disproportionately on women. 

Social dialogue and collective bargaining are key to achieving equality in the workplace. The Committee calls for practical tools, guidance and capacity-building initiatives to support social partners in promoting inclusive workplaces and fair working conditions, while respecting the diversity of national industrial relations systems. 

Equality in the digital age

Digitalisation and artificial intelligence offer opportunities but also carry risks for equality. The EESC warns that algorithmic bias and non-representative datasets can reinforce discrimination in areas such as recruitment, healthcare, pay and access to services. It therefore calls for a gender-sensitive, rights-based approach to digital and AI policies, with safeguards against bias, discrimination, online violence, deepfakes and disinformation. 

Education also has a crucial role to play in promoting equality, democratic resilience and media literacy. The EESC encourages support for teachers and education systems in tackling discrimination, online hate, disinformation and gender stereotypes, while also addressing gender segregation in education and employment. 

Protecting rights, health and civic space

The Committee calls for stronger action against gender-based violence, including exploitation, harassment and online violence, through the effective implementation of EU legislation and cooperation with civil society. It also warns that backlash against gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights is often linked to broader pressures on civic space, democratic participation and fundamental rights. 

The EESC welcomes the increased attention paid to women’s health in the new strategy, while stressing that access to healthcare, including mental health services and sexual and reproductive health and rights, remains uneven across Member States. It calls for a comprehensive and gender-sensitive approach to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, health literacy and respectful, consent-based medical practices. 

A question of democracy and resilience

Women’s full participation in political, economic and public life is essential for democratic legitimacy, inclusive governance and economic performance. The EESC calls for stronger representation of women in decision-making, including in peacebuilding, conflict prevention and security processes. 

To sum up, the Committee argues that the time for reaffirming commitments has passed. Gender equality must now be translated into concrete action, delivery and measurable results; not only because it is a fundamental right, but because it is essential to Europe’s democracy, competitiveness and resilience.