Renew Europe: the new Gender Equality Strategy raises expectations for advancing women’s rights
The European Commission today presented its Gender Equality Strategy for 2026–2030, outlining the EU’s priorities to advance gender equality across Europe over the next five years. Presented in the week of International Women’s Day, the strategy comes at a crucial moment for women’s rights in Europe and globally.
Renew Europe welcomes the strategy’s focus on strengthening action against gender-based violence, including measures to combat cyberviolence and support the implementation of the Violence Against Women Directive. The group also welcomes actions aimed at tackling the gender pay and pension gaps, promoting women’s participation in political and economic decision-making and strengthening women’s economic empowerment, including initiatives to support women in entrepreneurship, innovation, and skills development.
Renew Europe also welcomes the strategy’s attention to women’s health and sexual and reproductive health and rights. However, the group regrets that the strategy does not include a commitment to add the right to safe and legal abortion to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, a key demand of Renew to ensure stronger and lasting protection of women’s rights across the Union.
“It is very encouraging to see that the Commission is taking the European Citizens’ Initiative My Voice, My Choice forward in the strategy. Over a million citizens have mobilised to defend women’s rights, and their voices must be heard. We welcome the focus on tackling gender-based violence, including the growing threat of cyberviolence and sexually explicit deepfakes targeting women online, as well as efforts to strengthen women’s participation in political and economic decision-making. On the week of International Women’s Day, this must be a reminder that Europe cannot take progress on gender equality for granted. As women’s rights face growing challenges across Europe and beyond, the EU must continue to lead in protecting and advancing gender equality.”
Abir Al-SahlaniRenew Europe MEP, Sweden, Centerpartiet
“The strategy shows that Europe is ready to move forward on gender equality, even in challenging times. We welcome stronger action against gender-based violence, including efforts to tackle cyberviolence and the misuse of artificial intelligence to target women online. Supporting women in research, innovation and entrepreneurship is equally important to ensure that equality also means opportunity and economic independence. And through initiatives such as SHIELD, which helps improve access to sexual and reproductive healthcare and supports survivors of gender-based violence in humanitarian crises, Europe can continue to stand up for women’s rights not only within the EU, but around the world.”
Lucia YarRenew Europe MEP, Slovakia, Progresívne Slovensko