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Foundation for European Progressive Studies

FEPS

The Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) is the think tank of the progressive political family at EU level.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030

11 Aug 2025

This feedback builds on: Petö, Andrea; Thissen, Laeticia; & Clavaud, Amandine (eds.) (2024). A New Gender Equality Contract for Europe: Feminism and Progressive Politics. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. It is essential that the EU Gender Equality Strategy 20262030 builds on the European Care Strategy (ECS) as a cornerstone, advancing its work towards a real Care Deal for Europe. This is especially urgent amid geopolitical instability and the growing focus on militarisation, which risk sidelining social policy. Strong, inclusive care systems are not peripheral to security: they are foundations for peace, stability, and social cohesion. The ECS was a turning point in EU policy, framing care as a societal cornerstone rather than only a labour market support. Its holistic, life-cycle approach placing childcare and long-term care (LTC) on equal footing is a milestone towards a gender contract for care that values care as essential for sustainability and resilience. Yet, the ECS alone is insufficient. The new Gender Equality Strategy must explicitly reinforce, resource, and monitor its implementation. 1. Strengthen the legal foundation: The ECS is not legally binding. While mixed tools are needed, enforceable rights send a stronger message and ensure protection for carers. The Gender Equality Strategy should expand binding measures within existing gender equality competences to integrate care rights in EU law. 2. Ensure adequate funding and workforce development: A Care Deal requires major investment. Dedicated funding should support Member States to create quality, well-paid jobs in care, with good career prospects. Professionalising care work, and making it attractive to men, will help break gender imbalances. 3. Make monitoring and data collection mandatory: Impact assessments for the WorkLife Balance Directive (WLB) and robust data on early childhood education, care uptake, and LTC must be systematic. The Gender Equality Strategy should institutionalise monitoring and ensure results inform policy. 4. Address the feminisation of care: The ECS notes that 80% of care is informal and mostly provided by women but does not challenge this reliance. The Gender Equality Strategy should promote mens involvement in care and more equal sharing in households, linking this to broader gender equality goals. 5. Recognise diversity of care recipients: Those needing care are not a homogenous group. The new Strategy should support differentiated approaches, ensuring recipients needs, rights, and agency are recognised, and they are involved in policy cycles. 6. Move beyond economic framing: Many EU measures still present care mainly as a facilitator of employment. The Gender Equality Strategy must affirm cares intrinsic value as central to cohesion, resilience, and equality. The ECS was a crucial first step in re-centring care in European policy. The EU Gender Equality Strategy 20262030 must: - Make the ECS a central pillar; - Introduce binding measures where possible; - Provide dedicated care funding; - Enforce monitoring and data collection; - Tackle feminisation of care; - Recognise care recipients diversity. Aligning the Gender Equality Strategy with the ECS will turn principles into action ensuring care is not forgotten in crises, but secured as a foundation for equality, resilience, and lasting peace.
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Meeting with Annika Eriksgaard (Director Economic and Financial Affairs)

10 Jun 2025 · Meeting with EU-China relations scholars to reflect on the current direction of EU-China relations, and exchange of views on priorities and expectations for the upcoming EU-China Summit.

Meeting with Andriana Sukova (Deputy Director-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion)

19 Feb 2025 · Exchange of views on social investment and the next MFF

Meeting with Nicolas Schmit (Commissioner)

24 Oct 2024 · The European policies in Social Europe.