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Ideas for just societies in Europe

Much progress has been made on justice in Europe. However, much remains to be done to create a fairer society for all. Some states show authoritarian tendencies that deliberately undermine democracy and the rule of law. While in theory the EU has the means to monitor and enforce the rule of law in its member states, in practice this is often more difficult.

There is also a growing gap between the rich and the poor. Access to education, health care and other essential resources is not equal for everyone. Europe-wide, people are discriminated against based on disability, gender, ethnic origin, religion and other factors. Women* are not treated equally to men* and are disadvantaged in many areas. LGBTIQ* people are particularly vulnerable to discrimination, exclusion, hatred and violence.

This is one of the reasons why there are many ideas on how to create just societies in Europe. We present some of these ideas here.
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Stronger together: democracy and gender equality in Europe

What's gender equality got to do with democracy? Why is an intersectional understanding of gender equality more democratic? And what's happening in the European Union to foster gender equality and democracy?

The Dossier engages with these questions in depth: The topic is introduced by Julia Lux (Observatory). In his statement, Robert Biedroń (Chair of the FEMM-Committee in the European Parliament) recapitulates the EU parliamentary equality policy efforts during the legislative period 2019–2024. Belinda Dear (ILGA-Europe) and Julie Pascoët (ENAR) highlight in the interview where reform is needed from an intersectional perspective on equality. Gabriele Abels (University of Tübingen, Germany) discusses the Commission initiative Union of Equality. To top it off, theses on the relationship between democracy and gender equality by Julia Lux (Observatory) provide food for thought.

For a Union of Equality: how the EU addresses structural inequality

In November 2019, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen coined the term "Union of Equality" in the political guidelines for her future Commission 2019–2024.

Based on an intersectional approach, strategies and measures are introduced to reduce structural discrimination and socially dominant stereotypes. It should be possible for everybody to have the same opportunities and realize the same life aspirations regardless of differences based on sex, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Gender Equality Strategy and the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy put this idea into practice. Both strategies apply to the years 2020 to 2025. After an introduction, they are presented as examples of further EU strategies and measures for a union of equality in the focus issue of EU monitoring.

Please note that the focus issue is only published in German.

Threat to democracy and human rights: the anti-gender movement in Europe

Movements mobilising against gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights have gained strength across Europe in recent years. The strengthening also brings to light an increasingly transnationally organised and financed independent anti-gender movement that attacks the rights of women* and LGBTIQ* persons.

It also puts democracy, human rights and the rule of law at risk. This is evident locally, regionally or nationally, and Europe-wide, where alliances are organised transnationally to undermine the European Union's foundations and reverse already existing consensus.

The Newsletter 2/2021 introduces the emergence, main lines of argumentation, and actors of the transnational anti-gender movement in Europe. To do so, the Newsletter looks at the specific case of the Istanbul Convention combatting gender-based violence. Furthermore, it provides insights into three focal topics: transnational financing structures of the anti-gender movement, increasing anti-trans attacks and corresponding counterstrategies, as well as gender-based cyber violence.

In 2023, the Observatory looked at the anti-gender movement in Europe again. Dossier 1/2023 deals with the right to abortion in Europe. Banning abortions is also intended to undermine human rights and gender equality with implications for an open and democratic society.

Combatting child poverty: a European child guarantee

Child poverty is widespread in Europe, even in economically strong countries. One in four children in the European Union is at risk of poverty and social exclusion. The coronavirus pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have exacerbated existing inequalities even further.

In March 2021, the European Commission adopted the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, which aims to reduce the number of children at risk of poverty and social exclusion in the European Union by at least five million by 2030. To achieve this, an integrated approach is needed that focuses on the causes of poverty and social exclusion, and that breaks the intergenerational cycle of poverty.

On 14 June 2021, the EU Member States adopted a Council recommendation establishing a European Child Guarantee. It aims to prevent and combat the social exclusion of children in need by guaranteeing access to different key services, e.g. early childhood education and care, education, healthcare or healthy nutrition and adequate housing. The European Commission has called on the EU Member States to establish a national action plan covering the period until 2030 to implement the European Child Guarantee.

Towards a European strategy for the equality of LGBTIQ* people

In February 2020, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that she would publish a strategy for the equality of LGBTIQ people for the first time.

In advance of the publication of this strategy, this Newsletter initially provides an overview of the existing legal framework and current political processes at the EU level and the situation of LGBTIQ* persons in the EU Member States. Following this, two articles present the requirements for the announced strategy from a legal and civil society perspective. The focus here is on the EU-wide recognition of rainbow families and the increasing attacks and hate speech against LGBTIQ* people.

Subsequently, two contributions will outline requirements for the announced strategy from a legal and civil society point of view. The focus is on the EU-wide recognition of rainbow families as well as the increasing attacks on and incitement to hatred against LGBTIQ* persons.

The ensuing article provides an excursus on another organisation, the Council of Europe, which adopted the world’s first instrument to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity over ten years ago, the so-called Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 of the Committee of Ministers from 31 March 2010.

The conclusion is an overview of existing national action plans for LGBTIQ* people.