PES Women convened its Executive Meeting on 8 May 2026 to take stock of major recent wins for gender equality.
Members reflected on the Global Progressive Mobilisation in Barcelona, a major joint initiative by the PES, the Socialist International, and the Progressive Alliance, hosted by the PSOE, which brought together progressive forces worldwide. PES Women played an active role: organising a women leaders’ breakfast that brought together female party leaders, deputy leaders and trade union leaders from every region of the world to discuss women’s political leadership and strengthen cross-regional cooperation. PES Women also organised a panel on countering the backlash against gender equality.
Recent legislative victories in the European Parliament, driven by S&D members, were also highlighted: the adoption of a consent-based definition of rape and the introduction of proxy voting for pregnant MEPs and new mothers.
“Advancing a consent-based definition of rape across Europe is a crucial step forward for women’s rights. These are real political victories driven by our progressive family. The next step is clear: we now expect the European Commission to put forward comprehensive legislation, said PES Women President.
The Executive also welcomed the presentation of a new FEPS paper on the care economy by young researchers Monika De Silva and Isabel Hernández Pepe, and formally adopted two key policy documents: the Women’s Health position paper and the Feminist Economy paper.
