PES Women met this week for their Executive Meeting, held just one day after International Human Rights Day, reaffirming that women’s rights are human rights – and that defending them is essential to safeguarding democracy. Echoing the UN Secretary-General’s reminder that rights must never be pushed aside for profit or power, members highlighted the growing risks posed by political pressure and extremist narratives.
Members assessed key political developments, notably the success of the “My Voice, My Choice” citizens’ initiative despite growing resistance from right-wing and far-right parties, and set the course for an ambitious 2026 feminist agenda. The meeting also highlighted the new 2025 Gender Equality Index, which shows slow progress and warns that equality remains decades away.
PES Women paid tribute to former President Fiorella Ghilardotti, a pioneer of European feminism who passed away 20 years ago, with a minute’s silence in her honour.
Looking ahead, PES Women’s 2026 Work Programme will prioritise:
- • Protecting democracy and women in public life
- • Safeguarding EU gender-equality legislation, including pay transparency and SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights)
- • Combating gender-based and cyber violence
- • Advancing women’s health and promoting a feminist economy
- • Supporting young women leaders and reinforcing global feminist cooperation
Entering 2026, PES Women stands united to defend hard-won rights and push forward a bold, resilient feminist agenda for Europe.
Participants’ list
- Zita Gurmai, PES Women President, MSZP (Hungary)
- Elke Ferner, PES Women Vice–President, SPD (Germany)
- Rosario Gambôa, PES Women Vice-President, PS (Portugal)
- Sonja Kovac, PES Women Vice-President, SDP (Croatia)
- Emmi Lintonen, PES Women Vice-President, SDP (Finland)
- Simona Bucura-Oprescu, PES Women Executive Member, PDR (Romania)
- Jackie Jones, PES Women Executive Member, LP (UK)
- Olga Markogiannaki, PES Women Executive Member, PASOK ( Greece)
- Roulla Mavronikola, PES Women Executive Member, EDEK (Cyprus)
- Roberta Mori, PES Women Executive Member, PD (Italy)
- Riina Sikkut, PES Women Executive Member, SDP (Estonia)
- Elli Harris, PES Women Ex-Officio Executive Member, YES (Belgium)
- Joanna Scheuring, Wielgus PES Women Ex-Officio Executive Member, S&D Group (Poland)
- Dasa Silovic, PES Women Ex-Officio Executive Member, CEE Network
- (Croatia)
- Ania Skrzypek, PES Women Ex-Officio Executive Member, FEPS (Belgium)
- Carina Ohlsson, PES Women Ex-Officio Executive Member, CoR (Hungary)
- Guest: Machris Cabreros, Progressive Alliance – secretary General (Philippines)
