Strengthening the EU's commitment to gender equality and women's rights

The European Parliament is once again highlighting the urgent need to accelerate progress towards gender equality. This adopted text reaffirms the EU's commitment to promoting women's and girls' rights at the international level, in a context where the 2030 global goals risk not being achieved.

Context and objectives

The text builds on the existing international framework, including the 1995 Beijing Declaration and the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 5. The main objective is to reaffirm the EU's position as a global leader in promoting gender equality and to combat recent trends that threaten the progress made.

Key measures

• Recommends that the Council strengthen EU efforts for gender equality in external action
• Highlights the need to combat anti-women's rights movements at the transnational level
• Requests for the protection of women's rights in conflict regions such as Syria
• Recommends addressing discrimination in women's sports
• Calls for actions against the criminalization of abortion

Timeline and implementation

The text was adopted in November 2024 and has been transmitted to the European Council for consideration. Implementation will depend on the Council's decisions and subsequent actions by the European Commission within the framework of the Gender Equality Action Plan.

Impact for citizens and stakeholders

EU citizens can benefit from consolidated efforts to protect women's rights both within the Union and in external partnerships. Women's organizations and human rights advocacy groups will find support in the Parliament's firm stance. This approach contributes to increased awareness of current challenges in the field of gender equality.