The European Union must take bolder action to promote women’s equal participation in politics, particularly at the local and the regional levels: improved data collection, funding of local gender equality initiatives and the countering of online harassment could all contribute to making progress.

That’s the message from last Thursday’s (15 October) online session co-organised by CEMR and the Committee of the Regions, “The path to gender parity in politics”, as part of the European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC). Over 60 participants, including mayors, regional leaders, EU officials and young elected politicians, joined the event to share their experiences and insights.

Emil Broberg, Councillor of Östergötland Region (Sweden) and CEMR spokesperson for gender equality, presented the latest figures on women’s representation at the local and regional level and urged the collection of more systematic collection of official data. “Without data we just fumble in the dark”, he said.

The Swedish politician emphasised the slowness of Europe’s progress on this issue and the need to take bolder action. “As we have seen with the newly formed government in Belgium, which has 10 men and 10 women members, parity is possible!” Broberg said. “But more robust action is required now to avoid regressions and to reach gender balance in politics by 2030.”

Find out more here.