Defending women's rights: strong EU leadership needed amid global backlash

Ahead of International Women’s day, Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee Chair Lina GÁLVEZ (S&D, ES) made the following statement:

“For decades, the European Parliament has championed gender equality as a fundamental pillar of democracy, peace, and prosperity. But in 2025 progress is not just slowing—it is under attack. Women’s rights are facing a global backlash, and even within the EU, representation and legal protections are being rolled back. The most recent European elections in 2024 marked a concerning regression: for the first time in history, the share of women in the European Parliament declined. This is not just a statistic. It is a wake-up call, and a consequence of the rise of political forces not committed to equality. We need decisive action to ensure equal access to leadership positions and to strengthen policies that break down barriers for women in politics.

“I welcome the adoption of the Roadmap for Women’s Rights today as it sets out a long-term vision with key principles and policy goals for a more gender-equal Europe. The upcoming post-2025 Gender Equality Strategy will build on this Roadmap, reaffirming the EU’s political commitment to advancing gender equality and progress on women’s rights.

“Just yesterday, MEPs discussed the role of women in foreign affairs and defence with national parliaments. Women and girls have always been—and continue to be—disproportionately the victims of war, experiencing rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence. They are however mostly excluded from peacebuilding efforts and the political decisions shaping their future. Even in today’s EU, only a handful of women hold positions as foreign or defence ministers. If we are truly committed to peace, we must be equally committed to promoting women’s leadership and ensuring greater gender equality in security and defence—both within the EU and globally.

“A delegation of Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee MEPs will be in New York from 17-20 March to participate in the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women organised by the United Nations. We will be pushing for stronger global commitments to women’s rights, and our message is clear: equality cannot wait. The EU has to show strong international leadership and push forward progress—faster, stronger, and together.”