The European Parliament and Council are advancing gender equality priorities for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework, with a focus on gender-responsive budgeting, binding budget lines, and robust monitoring. The Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM, 26-27 January) highlighted key issues including gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive rights, consent in rape cases, and emerging challenges such as cyberviolence and AI-enabled abuse. On this occasion, the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) outlined 2026 priorities: strengthening the EU evidence base, supporting implementation of gender-based violence commitments, and equipping institutions to mainstream gender equality.

A joint FEMM-EMPL report stresses tackling structural economic inequalities, advocating for fair pay, work-life balance, accessible care, and women’s entrepreneurship. Sport is recognised as a powerful tool to promote gender equality, supporting skills, leadership, confidence, and social inclusion. Initiatives like Sport4CERV, EQUIP and ReWSE demonstrate how sport can translate these objectives into real impact.