European Parliament seeks to strengthen gender equality in care.

Career interruptions, old-age poverty, stress and pension gaps are among the challenges faced in particular by women performing care work. In its report on promoting gender equality in care, the European Parliament therefore calls for a rethinking of the way care work is valued and remunerated. Members of the European Parliament (MEP) stress that access to care is a fundamental right and call on the Member States to eliminate existing gender inequalities across all areas of care.

Rethinking care

The care society supported by the European Parliament places home-based and community-based services, intergenerational solidarity and independent living at its core. This goes beyond public investment in childcare and long-term care for older persons: the report also calls for better working conditions, family-friendly models and stronger social protection. In light of demographic change, MEPs also advocate sustainable financing and a person-centred, rights-based approach to care policy.

European carers’ statute

In order to strengthen the recognition of care work and establish EU-wide minimum standards, the European Parliament supports the introduction of a “European carers’ statute”. At the same time, Members of the European Parliament stress that care responsibilities should not be borne predominantly by women. A fairer distribution of care responsibilities requires better care services, equal pay, parental leave arrangements and flexible working models. In addition, the Members call for awareness-raising campaigns to challenge traditional gender roles and encourage greater involvement of men in care responsibilities. The Member States are also called upon to ensure that care work is more fairly reflected in pension and social security systems in the future.

Care workers from non-EU countries

With regard to labour shortages in the care sector, the report points out that care work is carried out both by workers from within the EU and from third countries. Training and recruitment within the EU should continue to take priority. At the same time, migration policy should be more closely aligned with labour market needs and linked to investment in training and integration measures.

European Care Deal announced

As early as the beginning of March, the European Commission announced in its Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030 that the European Care Strategy would lead to a European Care Deal, which is to be presented in 2027. Members of the European Parliament welcomed this announcement. The “European Care Deal” is expected to include concrete measures to reduce gender inequalities in care and to support both formal and informal carers. The focus will be on employment, education and training, digital skills, social protection, childcare and psychosocial support.