The study assessed the implementation of the strategic objectives of the 12 critical areas of concern of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) within the EU in line with EU policy priorities and targets since Beijing +25. It presented an up-to-date analysis of gender equality since 2018, highlighting achievements, gaps and challenges at both EU and national levels. The analysis was conducted taking into account the context of crises — including the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, climate change, migration and anti-gender movements — and exploring their implications for gender equality. It also incorporated EU megatrends and horizontal themes such as digitalisation, demographic challenges, gender stereotypes, gender-based violence and care. The study featured legal and policy actions promoting gender equality across the EU and its Member States.
The study also included a critical review of EIGE's Gender Equality Index to enhance its ability to monitor gender equality across the EU and its Member States effectively. This review focused on refining the Index's conceptual and measurement frameworks, ensuring its alignment with evolving policy priorities and emerging challenges. To inform these improvements, the team organised two stakeholder consultations, gathering expert feedback on potential updates and adjustments to the weights of its core domains. These efforts aim to maintain the Index as a dynamic and relevant tool for tracking progress and supporting evidence-based policymaking in gender equality across the EU.
To achieve the objectives of the study, the research team developed and conducted the following key deliverables:
- A detailed report assessing the key institutional developments for gender equality and trends in gender mainstreaming at the EU level.
- A comprehensive policy report examining progress and key challenges for gender equality across the EU in the 12 critical areas of concern of the BPfA.
- A critical review of EIGE's Gender Equality Index, focusing on its conceptual and measurement frameworks to enhance monitoring of gender equality at both the EU and Member State levels.
- Online stakeholder consultations, in the format of two survey questionnaires, to collect input on potential updates to the Gender Equality Index and to gather expert opinions on establishing new weights for its core domains.
- Two discussion papers to support expert meetings organised by EIGE. The first addressed potential updates to the Gender Equality Index, while the second focused on policy recommendations for gender equality.
- A final synthesis report summarising the main findings, conclusions and policy recommendations to support the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action in the EU.
- Five policy briefs covering cross-cutting topics across multiple critical areas of concern, accompanied by communication messages to disseminate the key findings of the project.
Over a 12.5-month period, the research team conducted desk research and reviewed legal and policy documents, academic and grey literature. The analysis was informed by official BPfA indicators and EU-wide data. Where data and information were available, intersectional and life-course perspectives were integrated. The study concluded with forward-looking policy recommendations to address emerging challenges and opportunities, such as those related to digitalisation and artificial intelligence. These recommendations are intended to strengthen the EU's capacity to respond to the changing political context beyond 2025 in the area of gender equality.
To ensure the findings and recommendations were robust and relevant, PPMI collaborated with renowned gender equality experts and academics on thematic topics, contributing to the preparation and peer review of the results. EIGE also consulted stakeholders on the recommendations, with PPMI supporting the preparation of meeting materials. This thorough process ensured that the findings and recommendations were relevant to the evolving political landscape within the EU.