The Commission has presented a new Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030 for a more equal, cohesive and prosperous Europe.

The European Commission presented its new Gender Equality Strategy for the period 2026-2030. The Strategy integrates gender equality into all aspects of life, both online and offline, from education and health to work and public life, and addresses modern threats such as cyber violence and risks related to artificial intelligence, which particularly affect women.

Although progress has been made, estimates from the European Institute for Gender Equality indicate that, at the current rate of change, it would take the EU 50 years to achieve full gender equality. Disparities between Member States also persist. The new Strategy translates the objectives of the roadmap on women’s rights, presented by the Commission and endorsed in 2025 by all Member States, into concrete measures to empower women and girls,engage men and boys,vigorously oppose any backsliding on fundamental rightsandaccelerate progress towards a truly gender-equal Europe.

This Strategy, which was presented on the eve of International Women’s Day on 8 March, builds on key legislation adopted under the Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025, covering rules on combating violence against women, pay transparency and a better gender balance among directors of listed companies, as well as the implementation of rules on work-life balance to promote an equal sharing of care responsibilities.

A renewed strategy for the next five years

The new Strategy will strengthen EU action in key areas, address new challenges and step up the implementation of existing legislation and measures through:

• Continuing the fight against gender-based violence, with a particular focus on combating cyber violence, which disproportionately affects women and girls. This includes measures to combat ultra-fakes and ultra-nudes and improve the protection of women online, which will be done through a structured regulatory dialogue with very large online platforms based on the robust safeguards provided for in the Digital Services Regulation. The Commission will also support the full implementation of the Directive on violence against women and the new Action Plan against Cyberbullying presented in February 2026.
• Engaging men and boys in the fight for gender equality, recognising the benefits for them and their important role in bringing about social change. The Strategy will focus on how to counter information manipulation and disinformation to prevent growing polarisation between women and men, especially among young people. The Commission will conduct a study on online networks and discourse targeting young people and children and will involve men and boys in community-building initiatives.
• Promoting the highest levels of health and health systems for all. For the first time, healthcare is addressed as a specific area of action in the Gender Equality Strategy, including a flagship initiative in collaboration with the World Health Organisation to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare for women. The Strategy presents new measures to address the lack of gender-sensitive medical research, diagnostics and treatments; for example, the Commission will work with the European Medicines Agency to investigate the feasibility of establishing gender-sensitive controls when medicines are formulated, approved and administered to patients. The proposed revision of the Clinical Trials Regulation under the European Biotechnology Act will also require new trials that reflect the diversity of the population, taking into account women and vulnerable groups.
• Boosting prosperity by promoting gender equality in all economic sectors. The Strategy will launch a new action plan on women in research, innovation and start-ups to attract more women to this sector within the EU. In parallel, the Strategy presents measures to attract women to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as a new approach to encourage men to study and work in the fields of health, education, administration and literacy.
• Closing the gender pay and pension gaps, including by helping Member States to fully and effectively implement the Pay Transparency Directive, as well as working with the European Investment Bank to improve access to finance for women entrepreneurs and boost female representation in the financial sector. The Commission will also organise an exchange of best practices on measures to effectively combat period poverty and menopause poverty at national level.
• Adopting new measures to support women’s equal and safe participation in politics. The Commission will update its inventory of measures taken by Member States to promote women’s participation and leadership in politics, public administration and parliaments to address the current under-representation of women across the EU. In addition to presenting a Recommendation on safety in politics, which will pay particular attention to women, the Commission will continue to promote women’s participation in politics and public life and combat information manipulation and online interference, which often drive polarisation between men and women.
• Continuing to promote gender equality globallyby developing and presenting a new Gender Action Plan IV for 2028-2034, as well as a new Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. The EU will also launch a new specific flagship initiative called ‘SHIELD’, which will focus on improving access to sexual and reproductive health and supporting survivors of gender-based violence, in line with our gender-responsive and principled humanitarian aid.

Context

Gender equality is a fundamental right and one of the EU’s core values. The EU’s gender equality agenda is based on the EU’s founding treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which states that equality between women and men must be ensured in all areas.

The 2020-2025 Strategy introduced important legislative initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality in the EU. The Roadmap on Women’s Rights reaffirmed the European Commission’s commitment to gender equality by presenting a long-term vision for progress and calling on other stakeholders to support its objectives. The European Institute for Gender Equality’s Gender Equality Index 2025 and the conclusions of the annual report on gender equality highlight the current need for action to achieve such equality.

The European Commission remains committed to a fair and equal society, ensuring that gender equality is a reality at all levels.

More information: European Commission.