EU Gender Equality Strategy (2026–2030): priorities and policy direction

In March 2026, the European Commission presented the new EU Gender Equality Strategy for 2026–2030.

The document translates the broader Roadmap for Women’s Rights into concrete actions and defines eight priority areas that will guide EU policies in the coming years.

This is the next concrete step by the EU to reduce inequalities between women and men across different areas of social and economic life. The strategy sets the framework through which the European Commission will guide legislation, funding, research, and coordination among Member States.

Freedom from gender-based violence

The first priority focuses on systematically addressing gender-based violence. The European Commission places strong emphasis on implementing the new Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence, which introduces common European standards for victim protection and criminalises specific forms of violence.

In the coming years, EU efforts will focus on the effective implementation of the directive across Member States. This includes adapting national legislation and improving coordination between police, prosecutors, judicial authorities, and European institutions in cases of violence and exploitation.

The strategy also highlights the growing issue of cyberviolence. Online harassment, the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and the use of technologies to create manipulated content are among the emerging forms of violence that EU policies are beginning to address more systematically. As the digital environment evolves, these risks are becoming more significant, with women disproportionately affected.

Health and access to healthcare

The second priority focuses on improving women’s access to healthcare and reducing gender inequalities in health systems. The European Commission notes that in many areas medical research, diagnosis, and treatment are still primarily based on male data. This creates risks of delayed or inaccurate diagnosis and less effective treatment for women.

In the coming years, the EU plans to systematically integrate a gender perspective into medical research, the training of healthcare professionals, and the development of health policies. Additional funding will be directed towards research on health conditions that specifically affect women, as well as improving data collection and analysis on gender-based health inequalities.

Economic independence and equal pay

Reducing economic inequalities between women and men remains a key element of EU policy. The strategy places strong emphasis on implementing new pay transparency rules aimed at identifying and addressing discrimination in wages. At the same time, the EU plans measures to improve women’s access to finance, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.

Attention is also given to long-term economic disparities, including the gender pension gap, which remains significant in many Member States. EU policies are expected to promote greater economic independence for women and more equal participation in the labour market.

Work-life balance and care

The strategy highlights the unequal distribution of care responsibilities, which continues to affect women disproportionately. EU policies will focus on improving access to childcare and long-term care services, as well as encouraging more equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men.

A broader European care policy is also planned, aiming to improve working conditions in the sector and ensure better access to quality services. These measures are expected to support women’s participation in the labour market and reduce structural barriers to their economic activity.

Equal opportunities in the labour market

Policies in this area aim to increase women’s participation in the economy and reduce barriers to career development. The European Commission emphasises equal access to employment, improved working conditions, and greater representation of women in leadership positions.

Key issues include preventing sexual harassment in the workplace, improving occupational safety standards, and addressing new forms of discrimination, including those linked to artificial intelligence and algorithmic management of work.

Education and skills

Education is seen as a key tool for addressing stereotypes and expanding opportunities for young people. The EU plans initiatives to increase the participation of girls and women in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, where they remain underrepresented. Efforts will also focus on promoting more balanced participation across different fields of education and on developing educational materials that address gender stereotypes from an early stage.

Participation of women in political and public life

The strategy emphasises increasing women’s participation in politics, public administration, and decision-making processes. Despite some progress, women remain underrepresented in political leadership and public roles. The European Commission plans measures to support women’s participation and to address online harassment, attacks, and disinformation targeting women in politics and media.

Institutional mechanisms for equality

The final priority focuses on how gender equality is integrated across EU policies. The EU plans a more systematic inclusion of gender equality in legislation, budgeting, and programmes. This includes improved tracking of EU funding dedicated to gender equality and stronger cooperation with civil society organisations. Member States are expected to develop national policies and plans aligned with the broader European framework.

What this means for Bulgaria

As a Member State of the European Union, Bulgaria follows the common EU framework on gender equality and implements the National Strategy for the Promotion of Equality between Women and Men 2021–2030. At the same time, the country continues to face challenges in the practical implementation of these policies, including limited participation of women in decision-making, labour market inequalities, and persistent social stereotypes.

In the coming years, a significant part of the work will focus on implementing new EU legislation. One of the key steps is the transposition of the Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence, with a deadline of 14 June 2027. This process will require both political commitment and administrative capacity to adapt national legislation and institutional mechanisms.

Women represent the majority of victims of trafficking and exploitation, which directly links this issue to gender equality policies. A new EU Strategy against Trafficking in Human Beings is expected in 2026, outlining future priorities in prevention, victim protection, and prosecution.

In our work, Dignita Foundation focuses on women who are among the most vulnerable to inequality and exploitation, including refugee women, women from segregated Roma communities, girls in alternative care, and women providing sexual services.

This project is implemented with the financial support of Bulgarian Fund for Women. The project does not reflect the opinion of BFW and BFW is not responsible for it.