New EU Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030

On 5 March 2026, the European Commission presented its new Gender Equality Strategy for 2026 to 2030. The Strategy embeds gender equality into every aspect of life, online and offline, from education and health to work and public life, and addresses modern threats such as cyberviolence and AI-related risks, which particularly affect women. The new Strategy turns the objectives of the Roadmap for Women's Rights, presented by the Commission and endorsed in 2025 by all Member States, into concrete actions to empower women and girls, engage men and boys, vigorously oppose any backtracking on fundamental rights, and accelerate progress towards a truly gender-equal Europe.

The new Strategy will reinforce EU action in key areas, address emerging issues, and intensify the work on implementation of existing legislation and policies by:

• Continuing the fight against gender-based violence with a strong emphasis on fighting cyberviolence, which disproportionately impacts women and girls;
• Engaging men and boys in the fight for gender equality, recognising its benefit for them, as well as their important role in bringing about societal change;
• Promoting the highest standards of health and healthcare systems built for all;
• Boosting prosperity by promoting gender equality across economic sectors;
• Tackling the gender pay and pension gaps, including by supporting Member States to fully and effectively implement the Pay Transparency Directive;
• Taking further steps to support women's equal and safe participation in politics;
• Continue to promote gender equality on the global stage by developing and presenting a new Gender Action Plan IV for 2028-2034, as well as a new Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security.

The Strategy will launch a new Action Plan on Women in Research, Innovation & Startups to attract more women to this sector within the EU. In parallel, the Strategy presents actions attracting women to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers as well as a new ‘Boys in HEAL' approach, which will encourage men to study and work in Health, Education, Administration and Literacy fields (2026-2030). A handbook on reducing gender-based disparities in study choices and educational outcomes will be published in 2028.

The EC Press Release is here and the Strategy here.