As the European Union enters the second half of its institutional mandate, women’s health has moved from the periphery to the centre of the political agenda. This shift is reflected in the publication of the Roadmap for Women’s Rights last year, as well as recent calls for an EU Gender Equality Strategy 2026–2030 aimed at strengthening action against gender-based violence, advancing the implementation of equality legislation and establishing safe abortion care as a fundamental right. However, despite these steps, and the commitment to uphold "the highest standards of health" as a core principle, significant gaps remain in translating legal rights into social and clinical outcomes.

The Policy Dialogue will explore women’s historical underrepresentation in healthcare and clinical trials, a phenomenon often referred to as the “gender health gap.” As technological innovation accelerates and legislative momentum builds, there is a window of opportunity to embed women’s health and well-being as a central pillar of EU action rather than a peripheral concern.

This discussion will address the moral and economic imperatives of a fairer and more inclusive approach to health research and healthcare, while assessing how emerging technologies, such including artificial intelligence, can help close persistent disparities.

Participation is open to EPC members, media, and EU officials.

For media enquiries, please contact media@epc.eu.

For other queries, please contact events@epc.eu.