Addressing gender-based violence remains a key priority in the European Union’s upcoming policy agenda on equality. As part of the new Gender Equality Strategy for 2026–2030, the European Commission plans to support Member States in applying the Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence (2024), while also allocating financial support through programmes such as the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) and the future AgoraEU Programme.

 

The strategy, presented on 5 March by Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu and Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, defines 30 measures aimed at strengthening gender equality across the EU over the next five years. It builds on previous policy frameworks, notably the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025 and the EU Roadmap for Women’s Rights 2025.

 

A new element of the framework is the stronger attention given to women’s health. For the first time, this topic is treated as a dedicated policy priority, including cooperation with the World Health Organization through a joint initiative aimed at improving the quality of healthcare for women. The strategy also highlights the importance of increasing women’s representation in leadership positions.

 

The Commission points to the role of sport in promoting social change. By using initiatives such as the European Week of Sport, the #BeActive EU Sport Awards and Erasmus+ Sport, the EU aims to tackle gender stereotypes and reduce the gap in participation in physical activity between women and men. These efforts will also feed into the forthcoming Strategic Vision for Sport in Europe. ENGSO actively contribues to reaching these objectives in grassroots sport in Europe through the work of its Equality Within Sport (EWS) committee and through cooperation in projects such as Sport4CERV, ReWSE, A Fairer Coaching and EQUIP (2021-2023).”