European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE)

21/09/2026

Ready to join the conversation?

The Gender Equality Forum 2026 is coming up on 17 November, bringing together voices from across Europe to explore how gender equality can contribute to stronger economies, unlock talent and skills, and build a more resilient Europe.
This year’s Forum will also mark the launch of the Gender Equality Index 2026, with discussions, workshops and inspiring perspectives throughout the day.

📅 17 November 2026
📍 Brussels + online

Registration is now open. Explore the programme and register to join us online.
https://eige.europa.eu/newsroom/events/gender-equality-forum-2026

18/09/2026

On International Equal Pay Day, we recognise the importance of closing gender gaps in earnings and ensuring women and men are valued equally for their work.

But how we measure the gap is multi-layered and nuanced.

Across the EU, the gender pay gap based on hourly earnings stands at around 13%. When differences in employment rates and working hours are also taken into account, the overall gender earnings gap rises to 36%.

Care responsibilities play a major role. Mothers’ income often decreases after the birth of a child and can remain lower for years, affecting women’s long-term earnings and financial independence.

Pay transparency is one important step towards tackling pay discrimination and strengthening equal pay for work of equal value.

To support its implementation, EIGE has developed the “Step-by-step toolkit: EU-wide guidelines on gender-neutral job evaluation and classification”, helping organisations assess jobs fairly using objective, gender-neutral criteria. Equal pay starts with making inequalities visible.

Learn more:

• Return to the labour market after parental leave: A gender analysis
https://eige.europa.eu/publications-resources/publications/return-labour-market-after-parental-leave-gender-analysis

• EU-wide guidelines on gender-neutral job evaluation and classification: Step-by-step toolkit
https://eige.europa.eu/gender-mainstreaming/toolkits/gender-neutral-job-evaluation

17/09/2026

Europe is looking for new growth engines. Gender equality is one of them.
Europe’s future growth depends on making the most of everyone’s potential.

That means:

1. Care: Investing in affordable, quality care so more people can work, learn and participate in society.

2. Skills: Ensuring equal access to training and lifelong learning so everyone can develop their potential and drive innovation.

3. Investments: Putting money into policies that give everyone a fair chance, helping close gender gaps and build a stronger, more resilient economy.

4. Leadership: Creating equal opportunities for women to lead and succeed, so organisations can perform at their best.

5. Policy: Building gender equality into competitiveness policies so economies are better equipped to adapt, innovate and grow.

Want to explore what this could mean for Europe’s future?�Visit our Gender Equality for Growth page and discover the five areas where investing in gender equality can unlock Europe’s potential. https://eige.europa.eu/newsroom/gender-equality-for-growth

16/09/2026

Good news! The Gender Equality Forum 2026 programme is now live on our website!

In case you missed it, on 17 November, the European Institute for Gender Equality will bring together policymakers, business leaders, civil society, practitioners and young voices in Brussels to explore how gender equality can unlock growth, talent and resilience across Europe.

We are asking three key questions: Can care strengthen resilient economies? How can gender equality help unlock untapped talent and skills for innovation? And can gender equality accelerate Europe’s competitiveness?

The Forum will also see the launch of the Gender Equality Index 2026, alongside panel discussions, workshops and inspiring talks.

Register now to join the Forum online. Interested in attending in person? In-person attendance is by invitation only. You can express your interest in attending in person when completing the registration form.

17 November 2026 | Brussels + online

Explore the full programme: https://eige.europa.eu/newsroom/events/gender-equality-forum-2026

14/09/2026

Education can help prevent cyber violence against girls. But that means more than teaching girls how to stay safe online.

EIGE’s research points to gender-transformative education that challenges the behaviours and attitudes driving abuse.

That means reaching boys and young men, teaching digital consent, building bystander skills and challenging harmful gender norms. Find out what this could look like in practice.

Read the full story:

EIGE’s research shows that when girls speak up, too often the system fails them — and that platforms and institutions must be accountable for effective prevention and response.

11/09/2026

Who teaches boys what it means to be a man today?

Online spaces increasingly shape young men’s views on masculinity, women and gender equality.

How can we create positive pathways for boys and men to become active partners for equality?

▶️ Watch the discussion from the BŪTENT! Festival.

With Jolanta Reingardė, Peter Söderström and Umberto Masi, moderated by Georgie Bradley.

The discussion was organised in cooperation with the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania

11/09/2026

Who teaches boys what it means to be a man today?

Online spaces increasingly shape young men’s views on masculinity, women and gender equality.

How can we create positive pathways for boys and men to become active partners for equality?

▶️ Watch the discussion from the BŪTENT! Festival. https://youtu.be/ogbMEPSqzsY?si=VeGh3XbeIT5kmZQH

With Jolanta Reingardė, Peter Söderström and Umberto Masi, moderated by Georgie Bradley.

The discussion was organised in cooperation with the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania

10/09/2026

Yesterday at the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU’s High-Level Conference on Equality, The EU’s Equality Advantage: How equality powers competitiveness, innovation and social cohesion, EIGE Director Carlien Scheele highlighted why gender equality is not separate from economic growth, but one of its drivers.

https://eige.europa.eu/newsroom/director-corner/amplifying-eus-ambitions-underestimated-link-between-gender-equality-and-competitiveness

09/09/2026

Europe’s competitiveness depends on using all of its talent.
But too much potential remains untapped.

From care and skills to investment and leadership, gender equality helps unlock talent, drive innovation and make Europe more competitive.

When equality is built into every policy and every decision, it can do more than close gaps.
It can become an engine for growth.

Closing gender gaps could increase EU GDP per capita by almost 10% and create more than 10 million quality jobs by 2050.

Explore our new Gender Equality for Growth campaign and discover how you can help shape tomorrow’s competitiveness.
https://eige.europa.eu/newsroom/gender-equality-for-growth?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=gender_equality_for_growth&utm_content=organic_post

08/09/2026

📢 Study on gender inequalities in work–life balance – Ex-ante publicity notice

European Institute for Gender Equality intends to launch a middle-value negotiated procedure for a study on gender inequalities in work–life balance. Interested economic operators are invited to express their interest via the Funding & Tenders Portal by ⏰ 16 September 2026, 23:59 (Europe/Vilnius time).

This is the first stage of a negotiated procurement procedure. Only those who express interest in time may be invited to submit an offer. This publication does not oblige EIGE to launch the procedure.

More information on EIGE’s website.
https://eige.europa.eu/about/procurement/eige-2026-oper-04