I think we can all agree that women’s bodies are uniquely resilient – did we mention periods, pregnancy, and menopause? – and that they differ from men’s bodies, with distinct consequences for health. Women’s health has several unique aspects that are often underestimated or overlooked. For example, heart disease is the leading health risk for women, yet heart attacks may present with ″unusual″ symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, or shortness of breath rather than chest pain. Moreover, the menstrual cycle influences energy levels, mood, and sleep, while menopause can affect – among many other things – bone and heart health due to hormonal changes. In addition, medications can affect women differently because of hormonal and metabolic differences, meaning that dosages and side effects may vary compared to men.
Against this backdrop, it comes as little surprise that the European Commission’s upcoming Gender Equality Strategy 2026 – 2030 will cover several dimensions of gender equality, including women’s health. Although not yet published, the strategy is expected to address gender-specific health inequalities by ensuring access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, supporting mental health from a gender perspective, and promoting inclusive, intersectional healthcare backed by improved gender-disaggregated data and research.
The strategy will be presented by Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu and Commissioner Hadja Lahbib on March 5. Don’t expect Commissioner for Health Olivér Várhelyi to be there – his portfolio was trimmed to remove sexual and reproductive healthcare. During his nomination hearings, Várhelyi failed to convince the European Parliament that he was a true ally of women. His argument that he lived with his wife and had three daughters apparently did not carry enough weight. His vague statements on abortion rights likely did not help either. Ultimately, Lahbib took over responsibility for sexual and reproductive rights.
Thankfully, the right person is currently in charge, and the European Commission in Brussels takes women’s rights very seriously, recognizing that women’s rights are fundamental human rights. It is also encouraging that this conviction is shared by large swathes of the European Parliament. Lawmakers are currently calling for greater recognition of gender-specific health conditions and are drafting and negotiating an own-initiative report on gender inequalities in health. The work on the report is led by Irish MEP Billy Kelleher. Not only is it encouraging to see men championing women’s health, but it is also a positive signal in the run-up to the Irish Presidency beginning next July. Ireland is a frontrunner in women’s health policy. For example, it is the Member State with one of the most comprehensive and coherent national strategies on menopause.
However, the draft initiative report also highlights that there is still a long way to go. It points out persistent gender inequalities in health, particularly how medical research, drug development, clinical practice, and health care access fail to account for differences between sexes and gendered experiences. Consequently, the draft report calls for gender-sensitive research, better data collection, increased funding for women’s health, and training for healthcare professionals to ensure equitable care. Some MEPs further advocate for the report to explicitly recognize diseases specific to women, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and uterine fibroids. In sum, this initiative report – still a work in progress –aims to inform EU-level policy action to close these gaps.
The fact that these gaps persist shows that much work remains to be done. Yet the growing political attention to women’s health is an encouraging sign that the conversation is finally moving in the right direction. Ensuring equitable healthcare is not about granting special treatment, but about recognizing biological realities and lived experiences that have long been overlooked. If women are to live healthy, self-determined lives – able to participate fully in society, work, and public life – their health must be treated as a political priority rather than a niche issue. After all that also means having the fundamental rights, healthcare, and support systems that make such freedom possible. Progress may come step by step, but every step brings us closer to turning fundamental rights into lived realities. Happy Women’s Day, everyone!
Contact: Ina Koch, (BPI office Brussels), bpi.brussels@bpi.de
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