Parliament Calls for Ambitious Gender Equality Strategy

MEPs are calling for concrete measures to address gender-based violence and gender issues related to health care and employment. In its report, approved with 310 votes in favour, 222 against, and 68 abstentions, the European Parliament calls on the Commission to present an ambitious Gender Equality Strategy for the 2026-2030 period, featuring specific legislative and non-legislative measures in key areas.

Criminalisation of Gender-Based Violence at EU Level
Regarding gender-based violence, MEPs request that the Commission submit a proposal to the Council for it to be recognised at the EU level as a particularly serious crime with a cross-border dimension. The Commission should also draw up the necessary guidelines for the implementation of the recently adopted legislation on combating violence against women and domestic violence and recognise femicide (i.e., the murder of a woman or girl because of their gender) as a distinct crime.

MEPs urge the Commission to submit a proposal to define rape based on the lack of consent in EU legislation and press EU countries that have not yet ratified the Istanbul Convention to do so.

Securing the Right to Reproductive Healthcare
Concerning health care, MEPs' demands include actions to ensure universal access to gender-sensitive health care. Simultaneously, the EP calls for addressing the gender gap in health care, including by addressing gender-specific health needs and risks, and with particular attention to diseases that disproportionately affect women.

Abortion as a Fundamental Right
MEPs call on the EU to establish a comprehensive and binding framework to ensure full and equal access to all sexual and reproductive health care services. They also want the right to safe and legal abortion care to be included in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and call for the establishment of universal access to gender-sensitive mental health care.

Implementing Labour Legislation and Enhancing Participation
The Commission is urged to actively promote the entry and retention of women in the labour market, as well as to take measures to reduce employment, pay, and pension gaps.

MEPs also demand the timely implementation of the directives on adequate minimum wages, pay transparency, women on boards, and work-life balance for parents and informal carers.

MEPs call on the Commission to strengthen mechanisms to address democratic backsliding and attacks on the rights of women and LGBTQI+ individuals. The Commission should also implement the Women, Peace, and Security agenda as a core principle of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, say MEPs.

Rapporteur's Statement
Following the vote, rapporteur Marko Vešligaj (Socialists, Croatia) stated:

"By adopting this report, the European Parliament stands unequivocally with all women and girls in Europe and sends a clear message to the Commission: the new Gender Equality Strategy must be based on practical legislative measures. No more hiding behind the argument of national competencies, it is time to step up and secure equality, safety and freedom for everyone in the EU."