MEPs want concrete EU action on gender-based violence and issues related to women’s health, employment and political representation. In the report, adopted with 310 votes in favour, 222 against and 68 abstentions, MEPs urge the Commission to present an ambitious gender equality strategy for 2026-2030, with concrete legislative and non-legislative measures in key areas. Strengthening […]
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‘My Voice, My Choice’: MEPs support citizens’ initiative on accessible abortion
The Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee has adopted a report supporting the Citizens’ Initiative “My Voice, My Choice: for safe and accessible abortion”. The Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee (FEMM) adopted a draft resolution and an oral question for the Commission on Wednesday, by 26 votes in favour, 12 against and with no […]
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Proxy voting in Parliament’s plenary during pregnancy and after childbirth
The Committee on Constitutional Affairs has put forward a proposal to allow MEPs to vote in plenary by proxy during pregnancy and in the months following childbirth. The proposal, seeks to introduce a clearly defined exception to the current rule that all votes in Parliament’s plenary sessions must be cast personally. This would allow Members […]
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Violence against women and domestic violence: EU equality ministers call for stronger focus on prevention, early detection and intervention
Recognising the vital role that ordinary citizens can play in preventing abuse, the Council has approved conclusions calling for greater efforts to empower bystanders to help combat violence against women and domestic violence. In their conclusions, EU equality ministers underline that awareness, education and societal support are key to ensuring that bystanders can recognise abuse, […]
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Commission builds on Union of Equality with adoption of new LGBTIQ+ Equality strategy
Everyone in the European Union should feel safe and free to love whomever they wish and be their authentic self. To this end, today the European Commission adopted its LGBTIQ+ equality strategy for 2026-2030. It builds on the strong foundation of the first LGBTIQ equality strategy 2020-2025 to pave the way for further progress, and ensure LGBTIQ+ equality […]
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A more accessible and inclusive European Union for all people
The European Accessibility Act came into force in the EU on the 28th. From that day on, key products and services – such as telephones, computers, e-books, banking services and electronic communications – must be accessible to people with disabilities. The European Accessibility Act is a step forward in reducing the barriers that people with […]
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European Parliament moves to improve maternity provisions for its Members
President Metsola has outlined plans to strengthen maternity rules for Members of the European Parliament. President Metsola today informed the Bureau of new initiatives that continue the reforms to modernise Parliament. The planned measures will strengthen maternity rules for Members of the European Parliament who wish to continue to carry out their parliamentary duties and […]
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More Than 770 Violations Detected in Cross-Border Road Transport Inspections
The European Labour Authority coordinated a week of joint inspections held in Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia and Spain. A total of 564 freight and passenger vehicles were checked, resulting in the detection of 774 infringements. About one third of the vehicles and drivers ended up with a “clean” check, i.e. no infringement identified. […]
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Nearly one in four children in the EU (24%) faced the risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2024.
In 2024, 19.5 million children in the EU were at risk of poverty or social exclusion. This figure represented 24.2% of children under the age of 18, down by 0.6 percentage points (pp) from 2023 (24.8%). At the country level, in 2024, the highest values were reported in Bulgaria (35.1%), Spain (34.6%) and Romania (33.8%). In contrast, Slovenia (11.8%), Cyprus (14.8%) […]
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