The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality – Combatting sexism – with a focus on the workplace – Germany – 8-9 October 2025

With concerns about persistently high levels of sexism and sexual harassment in workplaces across Europe, participants engaged in two days of lively discussion about policies and good practices to end sexism at work. 

The host country Germany presented its Alliance Together Against Sexism, created by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs in 2021 as a multi-stakeholder alliance with currently around 800 members. The Alliance brings companies, municipalities, NGOs, trade unions and experts to combat sexism across three spheres – workplace, public space and media/culture. The Alliance has developed practical tools, including a handbook “Taking Action Against Sexism” and a Toolkit for SMEs “Building a Fair Workplace Culture”, a print-on-demand exhibition, networking events and regular information. Annual impact surveys show broad stakeholder satisfaction and tangible progress in promoting dialogue and awareness. Success factors include cross-party support, federal-local cooperation and a learning-oriented structure combining top-down leadership and bottom-up engagement. NGOs and companies that form part of the Alliance presented proactive ways they have implemented anti-sexism initiatives as part of their equality and diversity policies, training, and awareness raising.

Member States discussed challenges and shared good practices, with many examples of legislative and non-legislative initiatives to prevent sexism at work. They include legal measures in labour and criminal laws that outlaw sexism, sexual harassment, and digital harassment; national and workplace-level awareness campaigns aimed at promoting discussion and visibility of sexism at work; and actions by social partners to prevent sexism, along with the role played by labour inspectors. Key discussion points highlighted the need for clear and understandable definitions of sexism, including its legal definition. Participants agreed that governance and political will are vital for creating and sustaining alliances, making a strong business case to end sexism, and committing leadership to drive cultural change in the workplace. In particular, engagement of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) requires simple materials and clear communication. Integration with broader equality strategies (e.g. parental leave, pay equity) is effective. Training, awareness raising and promoting a culture of men-as-allies are crucial, as is monitoring progress through data and surveys. Recommendations made during the seminar include adopting legal definitions of sexism aligned with ILO 190, and the importance of the Directive on combatting violence against women and domestic violence in this regard was emphasised, as well as building national and EU-wide alliances. Specifically, participants recommended practical, clear, multilingual tools for SMEs, embedding leadership and prevention in workplace culture, strengthening victim support structures, and promoting an intersectional approach. Participants called for an EU-wide multistakeholder network to ensure sustained EU cooperation on ending sexism.