PPMI has finalised a study examining the critical links between gender pay gaps, pension disparities and women’s mental health across the EU for the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM).
The study addressed a complex and understudied intersection between gender equality, economic disparities and mental health outcomes for women. It provides evidence on how gender-based labour market inequalities, particularly the gender pay gap, the gender pension gap and emerging forms of work (e.g. platform work, temporary contracts, telework), relate to women’s mental health across EU Member States.
To achieve this comprehensive analysis, the research was based on desk research, analysis of comparable data, policy mapping and interviews with EU and national level stakeholders. The study mapped existing EU and national policies, assessed their effectiveness and identified significant knowledge gaps in current policy approaches. The research showcased promising practices from Member States while highlighting entry-points for gender-responsive action.
The completed final study report provides the FEMM Committee with evidence-based recommendations to inform EU policy development on gender equality while contributing to broader discussions about workplace mental health, economic security and the need for integrated approaches to addressing structural inequalities affecting women across the EU.
PPMI presented the study’s findings in a European Parliament’s FEMM Committee session, where it generated interest among policymakers. Several MEPs expressed strong engagement with the topic and the research results, recognising the importance of addressing the interconnected challenges facing women across the EU labour market and their mental well-being.
