ECO welcomes the European Commission’s Roadmap for Women’s Rights
On 7 March, in the wake of International Women’s Day, the European Commission unveiled its long anticipated Roadmap for Women's Rights This initiative sets a transformative agenda, establishing eight guiding principles in support of women’s rights in Europe.
- Freedom from gender-based violence
- The highest standards of healthcare for all
- Equal pay and economic empowerment
- Work-life balance and care
- Equal employment opportunities and adequate working conditions
- Quality and inclusive education
- Political participation and equal representation
- Institutional mechanisms that deliver on women’s rights
For the first time, health is recognised as a pillar of the EU's gender equality agenda. The language could not be clearer: Every woman has a right to the highest attainable standards of physical and mental health.
’Women are still dying from conditions at higher rates than men,’ said Commissioner for Equality, Hadja Lahbib. ‘It’s not because their bodies are weaker, but because medical research has historically prioritised men.’ This long-standing inequity must end.
The Roadmap goes even farther, tackling the gender biases embedded in healthcare and throughout society. It calls for medical research, clinical trials, diagnostics, and treatments that are gender-sensitive This is a crucial step towards addressing disparities in women’s healthcare.
It also emphasises the economic dimension of gender equality, calling for equal pay and pensions, and a robust investment to better support caregivers. In addition, the Roadmap highlights the need for other urgent reforms in the workplace, including the end of sexual harassment, equal career prospects for women, and an inclusive education that encourages girls to engage in science studies. These objectives align closely the with European Cancer Organisation’s Women & Cancer: More than 12 million reasons for Action Paper and its 15 core recommendations in support of patients, survivors, carers and healthcare professionals.
However, principles alone are not enough. To deliver meaningful change, the European Commission calls for immediate, coordinated action. This is now a defining moment for women’s rights in Europe, and political leaders must rise to the challenge.
The European Cancer Organisation (ECO) wholeheartedly agrees. Ensuring all women receive the highest standards of healthcare is not just a policy goal, it’s — a fundamental human right.
Dr Isabel Rubio, president-elect of the European Cancer Organisation and co-chair of the Women & Cancer workstream, said: ‘This is a good starting point. The next step will be to convert these aspirations into commitments with the Gender Equality Strategy. This should include the recognition of the 5 Women Cancer Rights. ECO will be working to help achieve this in the coming months and we welcome all those who can join the campaign’.
Professor Paola Erba, president of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine and co-chair of the Women & Cancer workstream said: ‘I am pleased to see in the Roadmap a focus on promoting equal employment opportunities and adequate working conditions, as well as a pledge for inclusive education. We hope that this new Gender Equality Strategy can go farther by establishing clear and binding legislations.’
