Hearing on Gender Equality Strategy

On 26 June 2025, the European Commission organised a hearing with European social partners on the up-coming Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030.

The Roadmap for Women’s Rights, adopted in March 2025, sets out the key principles to guide EU action for the full realisation of women’s rights.

The new Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030 will present the concrete actions that the European Commission intends to undertake over the next five years.

The goal is to strengthen the EU’s commitment to gender equality and contribute to realising the roadmap’s long-term vision.

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Main outcome of the hearing

• The European Commission invited all social partners to endorse the principles constituting the Roadmap for Women’s Rights. It was explained that no commitments are needed.
• Employers mentioned that there is no need for new EU legislation. The Work Life Balance Directive; Women on Board Companies; the Recommendation on childcare; Pay Transparency Directive are examples of legislation in place. Several sectors co-signed the multisectoral guidelines against third-party violence
• Enforcement of current legislation is key.
• Business Europe mentioned that taking into account the current international environment and the up-coming proposal for the Muli-Annual Financial Framework (MFF), infrastructures for the childcare would be the priority, in terms of infrastructures to be developed (there is an encouragement for the elderly and the long-term ill to stay at home, if possible).
• SME United called for the empowerment of women as entrepreneurs.
• HOTREC presented its position on gender equality

Trade Unions

• Simplification wave can not undermine the social acquis Communautaire
• Women’s rights and working time need to be secure
• Funding is needed
• Concrete measures are expected (e.g. AI; childcare)
• The Barcelona targets +need to be met
• Gender-based violence at the workplace should be met
• Part time – women not offered full time employment
• Housing Strategy to take into account the narrative

Next steps

The Commission to present the Strategy in March 2026.