In its report, adopted with 310 votes in favour, 222 against, and 68 abstentions, the European Parliament calls on the Commission to present an ambitious 2026–2030 gender equality strategy with concrete legislative and non-legislative measures in key areas.
Stronger action needed on violence against women
On gender-based violence, MEPs want the Commission to submit a proposal to the Council to include gender-based violence as a particularly serious EU crime with a cross-border dimension. The Commission should also prepare the necessary guidelines for the implementation of the recently-adopted law on combating violence against women and domestic violence and to recognise femicide (the killing of a woman or girl because of her gender) as a distinct crime. MEPs want the Commission to put forward a proposal for a consent-based definition of rape in EU legislation and urge EU countries that have not yet ratified the Istanbul Convention to do so.
Ensure right to reproductive healthcare
On healthcare, MEP demands include action to ensure universal access to gender-responsive healthcare and to address the gender health gap, including by tackling gender-specific health needs and risks, and paying particular attention to diseases that disproportionately affect women.
MEPs want the EU to create a comprehensive and binding framework to ensure full and equal access to all sexual and reproductive healthcare services. They also want to see the right to safe and legal abortion care included in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, and call for the instituting of universal access to gender-responsive mental healthcare.
The Commission is requested to actively promote women’s entry into, and retention in, the labour market and to take measures to reduce the employment gap, gender pay and pension gap. MEPs also demand the timely implementation of the directives on adequate minimum wages, pay transparency, women on boards, as well as on work-life balance for parents and carers.
MEPs urge the Commission to strengthen mechanisms to address democratic backsliding and attacks on women’s and LGBTIQ+ rights. The Commission should also implement the women, peace and security agenda as a core principal of the EU’s common foreign and security policy, MEPs say.
Quote
After the vote, rapporteur Marko Vešligaj (S&D, Croatia) said: “With the adoption of this report, the European Parliament stands firmly beside all women and girls in Europe and conveys 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 competences, it is time to step up and ensure equality, safety and freedom for everyone in the EU.”
Discussion about this post