Building a union of equality Europe's independence is about protecting our freedoms. The freedom to decide. To speak out. To move around a whole continent. The freedom to vote. To love. To pray. To live in a union of equality. A truly inclusive society empowers and uses everyone's potential. This is why the Commission has put equality at the heart of its agenda, striving to build a union of equality where all people can live free from discrimination.In 2020 and 2021, the Commission adopted five strategies to create the conditions for everyone to live, thrive and lead regardless of differences based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation:the LGBTIQ equality strategy 2020-2025the gender equality strategy 2020-2025the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030the EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025the EU Roma strategic framework for equality, inclusion, and participation 2020-2030In 2025, the Commission presented a new LGBTIQ+ equality strategy, with a major focus on protecting LGBTIQ+ people from violence and empowering them to live free from discrimination. Looking forward, it will also update the gender equality strategy and the anti-racism strategy. The right to be who you are In the EU, discrimination based on any grounds (such as sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation) is prohibited by law. But to many people, this is still a daily reality.To make sure the fundamental rights of equality and non-discrimination are upheld, the Commission continuously proposes new policies and initiatives, focusing on promoting equality and inclusion.Check what the Commission is doing to tackle discrimination A continent where you can aim as high as you want The EU is striving to be a continent where everyone can choose whichever path they want in life, free from gender-based violence and stereotypes. Gender equality 71 points (out of 100) reached by the EU in the Gender Equality Index 202433.4% of EU national Parliament Members are women10 percentage pointsis the overall gender employment gap Sources: European Institute for Gender Equality, Eurostat On gender equality, EU countries have made significant progress, including by putting forward common legislation and integrating gender equality perspectives across different policy areas.However, EU countries are still far from reaching full gender equality and progress is slow. Gender-based violence remains widespread. In the labour market, women are over-represented in lower paid sectors, and under-represented in decision-making positions. They still earn, on average, almost 13% less than men per hour. Research shows that women also generally carry out more housework than men. Gender stereotypes, affecting both women and men, are a root cause of such disparities.To tackle gender inequalities that persist to this day, the Commission launched in 2020 the EU gender equality strategy.Learn about the Commission’s actions to achieve gender equality A continent where you can love who you want The European Union is at the forefront of better protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) people’s rights. 23 EU countrieshave equality legislation on sexual orientation going beyond employment100+ initiatives funded by the EU to support LGBTIQ+ people Sources: Rainbow map, LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 progress report Despite our efforts to allow everyone to be who they are and love whom they want, LGBTIQ+ people are often discriminated against. A survey carried out by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) in 2023 showed that discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation is still high, but slowly decreasing. However, harassment, bullying and violence are higher than before. The same survey found that 55% of LGBTIQ+ people interviewed have experienced harassment for being LGBTIQ+.Building on the progress achieved under its first LGBTIQ equality strategy, the Commission has launched its LGBTIQ+ equality strategy 2026-2030 to continue promoting equality and non-discrimination by protecting and empowering LGBTIQ+ people and engaging the society.Find out what the Commission is doing to protect the rights and safety of LGBTIQ+ people A continent where you can be who you are Tackling racism We are “united in diversity” in a continent that features many different cultures, traditions and languages.But for the EU to live up to its motto and fulfil its meaning, we need to continuously fight racism and xenophobic movements, including combating antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate.The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has carried out a range of surveys that show high levels of discrimination persist in the EU. To tackle this, the Commission adopted in 2020 the anti-racism action plan. Among other objectives, the planintroduces measures and funding programmes to fight racism and discrimination in access to the labour market, education and training, healthcare, social protection and housingpromotes a series of actions to address racial and ethnic stereotypes with the media, civil society and representatives of people with a minority racial or ethnic backgroundencourages Member States to adopt measures to avoid or compensate disadvantages linked to discrimination based on race or ethnic originRead about the anti-racism action plan 2020-2025More inclusion for people with disabilities 101 million people in the EU have a disability50%+feel discriminated against51%are in employment Source: Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030 (survey conducted among persons with disabilities) Despite the progress made so far, persons with disabilities still face considerable barriers in our society. The strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030 aims to improve the lives of people with disabilities and ensure that they can enjoy their rights and participate fully in society and in the economy on an equal basis with others.Under the strategy, a Disability Employment Package was adopted in 2022. As only half of 42.8 million persons with disabilities of working age in the EU are employed, such initiatives are providing guidance to employers and public authorities, while helping more people with disabilities access the labour market.In recent years, several EU rules have also been adopted to make the EU more accessible for persons with disabilities, includingthe European Accessibility Act, covering products and servicesand the Web Accessibility DirectiveOther initiatives includethe European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilitiesrecommendations on accessible, supported housing for persons with disabilitiesthe upcoming framework for social services of excellence for persons with disabilitiesFind out more about the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030 Roma equality, inclusion and participation The Roma people are Europe’s largest ethnic minority. Out of 10-12 million, an estimated 6 million are citizens or residents of the EU.Even though there is a discrimination ban in the EU, many Roma are still victims of prejudice and social exclusion.In 2020, the Commission launched a 10-year plan to support the equality, inclusion and participation of the Roma community in the EU, where it laid out its targets for 2030, including cutting the proportion of Roma with experience of discrimination by at least halfreducing the poverty gap between Roma and general population by at least halfcutting the proportion of Roma children who attend segregated primary schools by at least half in Member States with a significant Roma populationcutting the gap in life expectancy by at least halfSee what the Commission is doing to promote Roma equality, inclusion and participation in the EU The equality task force All five union of equality strategies combine targeted measures (such as equality legislation or dedicated awareness-raising activities) and efforts to mainstream equality in other policy areas.To help mainstream equality across all policy areas, the Commission created a dedicated task force.Discover the Commission's Task Force on Equality Related links Equality and inclusionStatistics on equalityEuropean Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE)Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA)
A truly inclusive society empowers and uses everyone's potential. This is why the Commission has put equality at the heart of its agenda, striving to build a union of equality where all people can live free from discrimination.In 2020 and 2021, the Commission adopted five strategies to create the conditions for everyone to live, thrive and lead regardless of differences based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation:the LGBTIQ equality strategy 2020-2025the gender equality strategy 2020-2025the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030the EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025the EU Roma strategic framework for equality, inclusion, and participation 2020-2030In 2025, the Commission presented a new LGBTIQ+ equality strategy, with a major focus on protecting LGBTIQ+ people from violence and empowering them to live free from discrimination. Looking forward, it will also update the gender equality strategy and the anti-racism strategy.
On gender equality, EU countries have made significant progress, including by putting forward common legislation and integrating gender equality perspectives across different policy areas.However, EU countries are still far from reaching full gender equality and progress is slow. Gender-based violence remains widespread. In the labour market, women are over-represented in lower paid sectors, and under-represented in decision-making positions. They still earn, on average, almost 13% less than men per hour. Research shows that women also generally carry out more housework than men. Gender stereotypes, affecting both women and men, are a root cause of such disparities.To tackle gender inequalities that persist to this day, the Commission launched in 2020 the EU gender equality strategy.Learn about the Commission’s actions to achieve gender equality
Despite our efforts to allow everyone to be who they are and love whom they want, LGBTIQ+ people are often discriminated against. A survey carried out by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) in 2023 showed that discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation is still high, but slowly decreasing. However, harassment, bullying and violence are higher than before. The same survey found that 55% of LGBTIQ+ people interviewed have experienced harassment for being LGBTIQ+.Building on the progress achieved under its first LGBTIQ equality strategy, the Commission has launched its LGBTIQ+ equality strategy 2026-2030 to continue promoting equality and non-discrimination by protecting and empowering LGBTIQ+ people and engaging the society.Find out what the Commission is doing to protect the rights and safety of LGBTIQ+ people
We are “united in diversity” in a continent that features many different cultures, traditions and languages.But for the EU to live up to its motto and fulfil its meaning, we need to continuously fight racism and xenophobic movements, including combating antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate.The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has carried out a range of surveys that show high levels of discrimination persist in the EU.
Despite the progress made so far, persons with disabilities still face considerable barriers in our society. The strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030 aims to improve the lives of people with disabilities and ensure that they can enjoy their rights and participate fully in society and in the economy on an equal basis with others.Under the strategy, a Disability Employment Package was adopted in 2022. As only half of 42.8 million persons with disabilities of working age in the EU are employed, such initiatives are providing guidance to employers and public authorities, while helping more people with disabilities access the labour market.In recent years, several EU rules have also been adopted to make the EU more accessible for persons with disabilities, includingthe European Accessibility Act, covering products and servicesand the Web Accessibility DirectiveOther initiatives includethe European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilitiesrecommendations on accessible, supported housing for persons with disabilitiesthe upcoming framework for social services of excellence for persons with disabilitiesFind out more about the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030
The Roma people are Europe’s largest ethnic minority. Out of 10-12 million, an estimated 6 million are citizens or residents of the EU.Even though there is a discrimination ban in the EU, many Roma are still victims of prejudice and social exclusion.In 2020, the Commission launched a 10-year plan to support the equality, inclusion and participation of the Roma community in the EU, where it laid out its targets for 2030, including
