Committees · Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

FEMM

1 ESN seat

Women’s Rights and Gender Equality.

The Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality is responsible for the definition, promotion and protection of women’s rights and equal opportunities.

ESN seats

Members total

Subcommittees

2024–29

10th term

Mandate & Tasks

What This Committee Handles.

It coordinates gender mainstreaming across Parliament’s policy areas and monitors relevant international agreements. Its work covers equality policy, violence against women, sexual and reproductive health and rights, representation in public life, employment and pay, and the position of migrant women and other marginalised groups.

Key facts · FEMM

Full name

Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

Size

40 members

ESN seats

1 of 40

Subcommittees

Meeting cycle

Legal basis

Annex VI of the EP Rules of Procedure

ESN in FEMM

Gender mainstreaming in the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework

— ESN Committee Booklet · Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

Remit

Four Policy Areas of the Committee.

ESN Position

Our Line in the Committee.

The Group’s priorities in this committee, as set out in the ESN Committee Booklet.

Opposes Gender Ideology and Quotas

ESN opposes gender ideology, EU-level abortion policy, mandatory quotas and gender budgeting.

Biological Sex and Parental Rights

It emphasises biological sex, protection of the family, parental rights and national competence in social and ethical matters.

Merit-Based Principles, Reduced Bureaucracy

ESN supports merit-based principles and reduced bureaucracy and opposes the expansion of asylum or migration rules through broad gender-based criteria that could weaken national sovereignty and social cohesion.

ESN Members in FEMM

One Seat in This Committee.

The ESN seat in FEMM is held by the Members listed below. The named assignment is updated at the start of each session period.

Full Member

Irmhild BOẞDORF

Substitute Member

Christine ANDERSON

As of 2026 · Full list with named assignments available on request from the secretariat

Track record

Key Achievements.

ESN has focused on scrutinising the expansion of gender mainstreaming across EU legislation, spending and external action. It has opposed gender-responsive budgeting and the use of broad cross-cutting objectives in the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, arguing that resources should instead support targeted measures such as family policy, childcare and practical action on pay disparities. Through amendments, committee interventions and voting work, ESN has sought to limit further centralisation and defend the competence of the Member States, although it has often been outvoted by the committee majority.

ESN in action

Opposed gender mainstreaming in EU spending and the next Multiannual Financial Framework.

Defended merit-based principles against mandatory quotas.

Promoted subsidiarity, family policy and national competence.

Outlook

Looking Ahead.

FEMM is expected to focus on gender mainstreaming in the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, including opinions on Global Europe and the EU budget performance framework. The committee will also continue work on violence against women, equality in external action, the care economy, pay and pension gaps and women’s participation in democracy. ESN will scrutinise the Commission’s Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030 and oppose further centralisation or ideological conditionality.

Documents

From the Parliament.

Studies, briefings and meeting documents of this committee, published by the European Parliament.

Draft Report · 2026

Gender mainstreaming in the European Parliament – annual report 2025

Draft Report · 2026

Chemical submission: addressing its consequences on women's rights and safety in the EU

Draft Report · 2026

A European Parliament recommendation to the Council concerning the EU priorities for the 71st session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

Opinion · 2026

General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2027 - all sections

Opinion · 2026

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a budget expenditure tracking and performance framework and other horizontal rules for the Union programmes and activities

Draft Opinion · 2026

General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2027 - all sections

Opinion · 2026

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing Global Europe

Draft Opinion · 2026

Related committees

Also of Interest.

Three closely related committees in which the ESN Group is represented.

PETI

Petitions

The Committee on Petitions is Parliament's direct channel between citizens and the European institutions.

JURI

Legal Affairs

The Committee on Legal Affairs ensures that EU legislation is legally coherent, compliant with the Treaties and supportive of the internal market, citizens' rights and legal certainty.

EUDS

European Democracy Shield

The Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield was established to examine foreign information manipulation and interference, particularly activities linked to Russia and China that may affect elections, media systems and democratic processes in the Member States.