Ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2025, and today’s presentation of the Roadmap on Women’s Rights by Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, the S&D Group reiterates its call on the European Commission to safeguard hard-won rights and push forward the goal of true gender equality in the decades to come.

The S&Ds also urge the Commission to ensure that the Post-2025 Gender Equality Strategy includes concrete commitments and actionable proposals, backed by tangible legislative and non-legislative measures to achieve these goals. 

Heléne Fritzon, S&D vice-president for a feminist Europe, said: 

“With the rise of anti-gender movements threatening the rights we have fought for across generations, the European Commission must set out a bold political agenda that goes beyond a five-year mandate and lays the foundation for an ambitious Post-2025 Gender Equality Strategy. 

“This strategy must guarantee universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights within and beyond the EU, while taking decisive action to eliminate gender-based violence, both online and offline.

 “We also call on the EU and its member states to work together to address the root causes of the persistent gender pay gap and female poverty. This requires tackling horizontal pay and labour market segregation, as well as the systematic undervaluation of work in female-dominated sectors, such as care, which is essential to our societies.  

“Additionally, feminist foreign policy must become a true cornerstone of the EU’s foreign affairs strategy. With geopolitics in turmoil, prioritising women’s rights in defence, security, and peace-building efforts is crucial to achieving just and lasting peace across Europe and beyond.”