EESC President

On 16 April 2025, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) took part in the Informal EPSCO Equality Ministerial Meeting, held under the Polish Presidency at the Warsaw Citadel. EESC President Röpke used the occasion to reinforce the Committee’s commitment to Roma inclusion and gender equality, while calling for stronger EU action against disinformation and systemic discrimination.

The meeting brought together EU Ministers for Equality, Commissioner Lahbib, civil society organisations and institutional stakeholders to address key topics such as misinformation targeting Roma communities, gender inequality in digital spaces, and inclusive policymaking.

During the second working session on Roma and misinformation, President Röpke called attention to the dangerous consequences of disinformation and the structural exclusion Roma communities continue to face. The EESC’s long-standing engagement through its Permanent Group on Roma Inclusion and the ongoing “Citizens Can Defeat Disinformation” campaign were presented as concrete efforts to raise awareness and promote civic resilience across Europe.

“Disinformation is not just a threat to truth—it is a tool of exclusion. It targets the most vulnerable and dehumanises entire communities. Roma voices must no longer be sidelined—they must be part of the European story,” President Röpke said.

Earlier in the day, the Committee’s views were shared in the session on gender inequalities in the digital environment. The digital gender gap, the underrepresentation of women in AI development, and the need for ethical digital innovation were addressed, alongside EESC recommendations for improved data, education and legal protections. Support was reiterated for the EU Directive on combating violence against women and efforts to embed women’s rights in the digital transition.

“To build a digital future that is fair, we must ensure women are shaping it from the start. Equality must be designed into the system—not patched in after the fact,” stated President Röpke.

Bilateral Meetings and Future Cooperation

On the margins of the meeting, President Röpke held bilateral discussions with Danish Minister Magnus Heunicke on strengthening cooperation ahead of the upcoming Danish Presidency of the Council. Gender equality priorities, including the work of the EESC’s Ad Hoc Group on Equality and recent opinions on work-life balance and violence against women, were also discussed.

A meeting was also held with Austrian Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner, focusing on shared goals regarding pay transparency, gender-inclusive policymaking and the follow-up to the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

The EESC reaffirmed its readiness to work closely with future presidencies and all EU institutions to ensure that equality, dignity and inclusion remain central pillars of the European project.