European Institute for Gender Equality works to Accelerate Action in closing gender gaps

Supporting the International Women’s Day's (IWD) Accelerate Action focus, European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) hosted an insightful mini-series in the lead up to IWD, highlighting some of the group's core work. EIGE produces independent research, shares best practices to promote gender equality, and works to eliminate gender-based discrimination.

"It’s unacceptable that we have to wait decades for full equality,” said EIGE Director Carlien Scheele. “Our data and research provide clear evidence of where gaps remain and what needs to be done to close them. This International Women’s Day, we are calling on policymakers, businesses, and individuals to step up and Accelerate Action—because equality cannot wait."

How can we Accelerate Action for gender equality?

EIGE Head of Research and Policy Support, Maruša Gortnar, introduced the series focusing on accelerating action for gender equality.

"At the current speed, it will take approximately 60 years to achieve gender equality in the European Union," said Maruša.

She suggested that we can get there faster if we follow these steps, based on an A-C-T-I-O-N acronym supporting the IWD 2025 Accelerate Action focus:

A - Accelerate Action
C - Close gender gaps
T - Tackle gender-based violence
I - Promote inclusivity
O - Seize opportunities
N - Do it NOW.

"Stay tuned over the next five days for a deeper dive into how our work is supporting to accelerate action on all the above," encouraged Maruša.

Accelerate Action to close gender gaps

Discussing the importance of Accelerating Action to close gender gaps, and in order to achieve gender equality, women must be able to fully participate and thrive in all areas of life.

EIGE's Statistician, Davide Barbieri, said: "Today, we need to talk about accelerating action to close gender gaps. Our 2024 Gender Equality Index results show that while there is progress, we are still on fragile path to a union of equality. In the area of work there are sustained gender disparities in labor force participation across several sectors, with the most extreme gaps occurring among couples with children. These disparities result in lifelong consequences for job quality, earnings, and income, including a 26% pension gap."

EIGE Researcher, Irene Rioboo Leston, said: "In the area of money, significant gender gaps reflect the effects of the income gap, unequal distribution of care responsibilities and occupational segregation, leading to a higher risk of poverty for women across all age groups. In the area of power we see the greatest gender inequalities, with substantial gender gaps in decision making roles in the economic sphere. To achieve true gender equality, we need to Accelerate Action to close these gaps and ensuring that women can fully participate and thrive in all areas of life."

Accelerate Action in tackling gender-based violence

Women deserve a life of safety. Accelerating Action to tackle gender-based violence is an important option. When one in three women across the EU have reported experiencing sexual or physical violence in their lifetime, it demands urgent action for prevention and systemic change.

EIGE's Gender-Based Violence Researcher, Monica Barbovschi, said: "Today, we need to talk about accelerating action to tackle gender-based violence. When one in three women across the EU experience physical or sexual violence, it demands urgent action. Especially because there's more beneath what we officially know. Women clearly do not feel supported enough, since only one in eight women report incidences of violence to the police. Authorities must proactively place the needs, rights and wellbeing of women victims at the core of their services. And as an agency, we are actively supporting the implementation of lifesaving legislation across the EU, like the Directive on Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence and the Istanbul Convention. All women and girls deserve a life of safety and opportunity."

EU GBV Survey Campaign Coordinator, Alexandrina Satnoianu, said: "Awareness raising also has the power to accelerate action and save lives. Because when we know more, we can do more. Through data storytelling, hope-based solutions and recommendations, our campaign presents a compelling case for why the EU and its Member States need to mobilize their positions of power to free Europe from gender-based violence. We cannot allow that us, women and girls in the EU, continue experiencing violence. Women deserve to feel safe NOW."

Accelerate Action in promoting inclusivity

Accelerating Action to promote inclusivity is key. By addressing gender biases and stereotypes, we can improve communication and support greater gender equality.

EIGE’s Spokesperson, Georgie Bradley, said: "Today we need to talk about accelerating action on promoting inclusivity. And a powerful way to do that is through gender inclusive language and communication. But first, you may need to get rid of some potential barriers in the way, like gender biases and gender stereotypes. Because if I ask you to picture a young woman welding metal in a factory, or picture a male caregiver in a home for the elderly, you may find that these scenarios are in conflict with how you view women and men. So a good starting point for adjusting and improving your language and communication to support greater gender equality is to exercise and build on self-awareness."

EIGE Creative Production and Social Media Assistant, Arturas Gudavicius, said: "We live in an age of communication, and it's not just the words we use. It's how we bring them to life. We are constantly receiving messages, whether through social media posts, videos or public discussions, which can play a role in shaping how we perceive gender equality. But in practice, gender inclusive language and communication means giving visibility to women and men and girls and boys in all their diverse situations. So let's say you're putting together a campaign. Consider if your message is challenging gender stereotypes or giving a voice to the underrepresented by letting them to tell their story. Because everyone has a right to be seen and heard. And as an agency, we strive to ensure our content is inclusive and accessible to everyone. Through clear language and thoughtful design. We need to accelerate action on promoting inclusivity. Now." 

Language shapes perception. It’s time to ensure everyone is seen and heard. Find EIGE's Words Matter guide, offering practical tips for using language that supports gender equality and inclusivity.

Accelerate Action to create opportunities for gender equality

It's important to highlight the importance of accelerating action to create opportunities for gender equality.

As demand for long-term care and childcare rises, the burden of unpaid care still falls largely on women, limiting their economic potential. There is a key need to invest in affordable care services and encourage men’s engagement in caregiving to achieve gender equality.

EIGE’s Research & Statistics Team Leader, Jolanta Reingarde, saiud: "Everyone deserves equal opportunities. Delve deeper into the economic benefits of gender equality in the EU. Today we need to talk about accelerating action on opportunities for gender equality. Here are two pivotal ones. With an aging European Union population, an enduring crises, the demand for long term care and childcare is rising. Both formal and informal. Yet the burden of unpaid care work still falls largely on women holding them back from economic opportunities. Evidence shows that available and affordable care services are the most impactful work life balance measures to reduce gender inequalities in employment. But that's not enough. Man's great engagement in care is essential for men's and families’ wellbeing, for women's economic empowerment, and for reshaping gender norms."

EIGE Researcher, Lina Salanauskaite, said: "At the same time, closing employment gaps is pivotal to economic prosperity. More paid work hours by women in the labour market could create between three and a half and six million new jobs by 2050. But labour shortages persist and are increasing, especially in sectors like healthcare, education, ICT and STEM. Gender segregation here remains a key barrier. To meet labour demands, we can rely on internal solutions to break down stereotypes and structural barriers that steer women and men into gender stereotypical careers, locking their potential. Because when everyone has equal access to opportunities to meet their aspirations for work and life, we all benefit. We need to Accelerate Action on these opportunities for gender equality NOW."

Accelerate Action for gender equality NOW

Accelerating Action for gender equality right NOW is necessary becuase all women and girls deserve a life free from violence, discrimination, and lack of opportunities.

EIGE Director, Carlien Scheele, said: "You've already heard from my experts about what we are doing as the EU Agency for Gender Equality, and now it's over to you - policy makers, business leaders, activists, youth, all actors. We need your refreshed commitment and action because every moment counts in a time when threats to undermine our progress loom large. Waiting for change is no longer an option. We have to Accelerate Action for gender equality, now."

"Accelerate Action to close gender gaps, now," said EIGE Research Trainee, Eva O'Byrne.

"Accelerate Action to tackle gender-based violence, now," said ays EIGE Stakeholders Trainee, Oceane Menu.

"Accelerate Action to promote inclusivity, now," said EIGE Communications Trainee, Jessica Fortune.

"Accelerate Action for opportunities, now," said EIGE Gender-Based Violence Trainee, Kristina Gotthardova.

"Accelerate Action for gender equality, now," said EIGE Technical Assistance Trainee, Anton Skrelja.

Learn more about  the European Institute for Gender Equality

EIGE combines research, data, and tools that help policymakers design measures that are inclusive, transformative, and which promote gender equality in all areas of life.

As the Agency for gender equality in the European Union, EIGE:

• Provides research, collects and analyses data on gender equality with an intersectional perspective
• Develops methods to improve gender statistics and data collections
• Communicates its comparable and reliable data and information with a hope-based approach
• Measures the state of gender equality both at EU and Member State levels
• Develops methodological tools and provides technical support for gender mainstreaming in all EU and national policies
• Cooperates with EU institutions, Member States, international organisations, NGOs, equal opportunities organisations, universities and experts, research centres, social partners and related bodies, the media, and its EU sister agencies