The European Parliament has adopted a Resolution on the forthcoming Gender Equality Strategy 2025, reaffirming that gender-based violence (GBV) and gender inequality remain structural and systemic issues across the European Union. La Strada International welcomes several elements of the Resolution, while also raising concerns.
Human Trafficking: Recognition of All Forms Needed
LSI welcomes the Parliament’s strong recognition of human trafficking as “one of the most flagrant violations of fundamental human rights and human dignity”, as well as its call to address all forms of exploitation. While women and girls remain disproportionately affected, especially through sexual exploitation, LSI stresses that they are also subjected to labour exploitation, forced marriage, forced begging, and other forms of human trafficking and exploitation.
The Parliament urges the European Commission and EU Member States to swiftly and comprehensively implement the revised EU Anti-Trafficking Directive, which now includes the exploitation of surrogacy, of forced marriage and of illegal adoption. It also highlights the importance of strengthening cross-border cooperation, improving remedies and support, and ensuring that the rights of migrant and minority women are fully protected. LSI recalls the need for further guidance and clarification on these newly added forms.
LSI regrets the Resolution’s blanket condemnation of all surrogacy practices, which risks conflating exploitative arrangements with legal, regulated and non-exploitative forms accepted in many Member States. A more nuanced, evidence-based approach is needed to differentiate abuses from legitimate and rights-based practices. LSI has conducted report on the legal and policy frameworks on (trafficking for the exploitation of) surrogacy across Europe, as well on its link with human trafficking to provide insight on the matter.
Sex Work
La Strada International welcomes the Resolution’s acknowledgment that sex work can heighten vulnerability to exploitation and abuse, particularly for women and girls, and its call to end the criminalisation of sex workers themselves. Decriminalisation is an essential step toward improving safety, access to services, and the ability of sex workers to seek help.
However, we express strong concern about the Parliament’s endorsement of criminalising the purchase of sex, in line with the Nordic Model. Evidence gathered by ESWA, the International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe, shows that such measures increase risks, police violence and push sex workers further underground. Read their policy brief on “Police Violence Against Sex Workers“.
Addressing Root Causes of Vulnerability
We applauds the strong focus on poverty and social exclusion, recognising them as major contributors to exploitation, GBV and human trafficking. The Parliament’s call for a “gender-sensitive anti-poverty strategy”, supported by policies on employment, housing, mobility and access to public services, which represents a crucial step toward reducing vulnerabilities across the EU.
Migration and Protection Gaps
The recognition of an equal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, regardless of migration or residence status, is crucial, as highlighted by the EP. The Resolution also acknowledges that low-skilled migrant workers face higher risks of exploitation, as restrictive work permits and insecure status deepen their vulnerability to human trafficking.
The Parliament’s call for a comprehensive “care deal for Europe”, addressing both formal and informal care work, including that performed by migrants, is particularly relevant and urgent. Europe’s care sector relies heavily on informal, undervalued labour, creating conditions where exploitation can flourish. Measures such as minimum wages in care, free public services and better regulation would help reduce poverty and close gender, pension and care gaps.
Backlash Against Gender Equality
The Resolution warns of a growing backlash against gender equality, reproductive rights and efforts to combat GBV, driven by political and civil movements across Europe. These developments threaten democratic values and undermine hard-won progress, particularly for marginalised women and girls. LSI supports the Parliament’s call for further research into the funding, motivations and influence of these movements.
Victims’ Rights and Access to Support
As Member States move to reach an agreement on the Revised Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence, LSI stresses the need for additional guidance and for full inclusion of all women, regardless of migration or residency status. Enhanced access to justice and remedies, trauma-informed care, psychological support and compensation are essential to protecting victims’ rights.
LSI also supports the call to expand specialised training for professionals and adopt trauma-informed approaches across all services dealing with GBV and human trafficking.
The Indispensable Role of CSOs
LSI welcomes the Parliament’s recognition of the “crucial and indispensable role that civil society organisations (CSOs) play, in a system of checks and balances in a healthy democracy”. Continued and sustainable funding for research, initiatives and CSOs working on gender equality and GBV is essential.
Finally, LSI applauds the Resolution’s commitment to integrating a gender perspective across all EU legislation, including migration and asylum policy, and its strong emphasis on intersectionality as a core principle of the post-2025 Gender Equality Strategy. The explicit inclusion of all women, regardless of origin, cultural or ethnic background, economic status or sexual orientation, represents an important milestone.