Europe’s Gender Rights Divide Remains EU’s Moral and Political Fault Line – EU Today

Gender Equality and Women’s Rights in the European Union: A Sustainable Development Challenge

Introduction

Despite the European Union’s commitment to equality and fundamental rights, significant challenges remain in achieving gender equality and protecting women’s rights. Issues such as unequal pay, workplace discrimination, limited access to reproductive healthcare, and increasing gender-based violence persist across member states. These challenges directly relate to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5: Gender Equality.

Persistent Gender Pay Gap

Over 60 years after the Treaty of Rome pledged equal pay for equal work, the gender pay gap in the EU remains above 13%, with the pension gap exceeding 26%. Women in countries like Germany and Austria earn significantly less than men, especially in feminised sectors such as nursing, childcare, and retail.

• Efforts such as the 2023 Pay Transparency Directive have had limited impact due to poor enforcement and employer non-compliance.
• This economic disparity undermines SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Reproductive Rights and Healthcare Access

Reproductive rights face increasing restrictions in parts of Eastern Europe, notably Poland, where a near-total abortion ban has led to severe health consequences for women. Other countries like Hungary and Croatia have introduced administrative barriers and stigmatization of healthcare providers.

1. Thousands of women seek abortions abroad or resort to illegal means.
2. Sex education across the EU is inconsistent, with conservative regions often excluding contraception information.
3. Marginalised communities, including the Roma, experience poor access to maternal healthcare.

These issues impact SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Violence Against Women

Violence against women in Europe has reached pandemic proportions, with approximately one in three women experiencing physical or sexual violence. Despite this, prosecution rates are low, support services underfunded, and data collection inadequate.

• Some countries still deny shelter access or pressure victims into reconciliation.
• The Istanbul Convention, aimed at combating violence against women, is not ratified by Hungary, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovakia; Poland has threatened withdrawal.

This situation challenges SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 5.

Political and Cultural Backlash

Gender equality is increasingly portrayed as a cultural imposition by the EU’s liberal elite, fueling resistance in countries such as Hungary, Italy, France, and Germany. Populist parties exploit gender issues to appeal to conservative voters, undermining democratic values and minority rights.

• Examples include Hungary’s ban on university gender studies and Italy’s defunding of women’s health initiatives.
• This backlash threatens progress towards SDG 5 and SDG 16.

Positive Developments and EU Initiatives

Some EU countries demonstrate leadership in gender equality:

• Spain has legalized abortion rights and mandated paternity leave to address care burdens.
• France tracks feminicides legally and plans to double shelter capacity by 2026.
• The EU has launched the Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025 and the Gender-Based Violence Directive.

These initiatives support SDG 5 and SDG 10.

Challenges in Enforcement and Political Will

The main obstacles are political rather than legal. EU laws prohibit discrimination but cannot enforce cultural change or compel governments to prioritize women’s autonomy. Victims often face re-traumatization by judicial and law enforcement systems, undermining trust in institutions.

Effective enforcement and political commitment are essential to achieving the SDGs related to gender equality and human rights.

Case Study: London’s Metropolitan Police

Over 1,000 officers were suspended or placed on restricted duties in 2023 due to allegations including violence against women and girls.

According to Brunel University London Honorary Professor Steven Pickering, public trust in the Metropolitan Police is particularly low among women and ethnic minorities, highlighting systemic issues in protecting women’s rights and safety.

Conclusion

Gender equality is a fundamental test of the European Union’s commitment to its values and the Sustainable Development Goals. Without robust enforcement, funding, and political courage, the EU risks failing not only women but the broader promise of human rights and equality. Achieving SDG 5 and related goals requires sustained action, accountability, and solidarity across all member states.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article focuses extensively on gender equality issues such as unequal pay, workplace discrimination, reproductive rights, and violence against women.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Concerns about reproductive healthcare access, maternal healthcare, and the health impacts of restrictive abortion laws relate to health and well-being.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article discusses violence against women, the enforcement of laws, judicial independence, and the Istanbul Convention on violence and abuse.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Issues such as discrimination, marginalised communities’ poor access to healthcare, and unequal treatment in legal systems relate to reducing inequalities.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere (unequal pay, workplace discrimination).
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in public and private spheres (gender-based violence, domestic abuse).
   • Target 5.3: Eliminate harmful practices such as forced sterilisation and ensure reproductive rights (abortion access, reproductive healthcare).
   • Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work (paternity leave policies, care burden).
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services (access to abortion, maternal healthcare, sex education).
   • Target 3.3: End epidemics of communicable diseases and reduce mortality (women dying of sepsis due to delayed abortion care).
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice (prosecution of violence against women, enforcement of restraining orders).
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions (judicial independence, police accountability).
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome (addressing discrimination against marginalized groups such as Roma).

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Gender Pay Gap
   • The article mentions the persistent gender pay gap above 13% and pension gap, which are standard indicators for SDG 5.1.
2. Incidence of Violence Against Women
   • Statistics that around one in three women in Europe have experienced physical or sexual violence relate to indicators measuring Target 5.2.
   • Legal tracking of feminicides in France is an example of monitoring violence-related indicators.
3. Access to Reproductive Healthcare
   • Indicators related to access to safe abortion services, maternal healthcare availability, and sex education coverage are implied.
4. Judicial and Institutional Effectiveness
   • Indicators on prosecution rates for violence against women, enforcement of restraining orders, and public trust in police and courts (e.g., Metropolitan Police suspensions and trust levels) are implied.
5. Legal and Policy Measures
   • Ratification and implementation status of the Istanbul Convention is an indicator of institutional commitment to Target 16.3 and 5.2.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: eutoday.net