European Commission Reaffirms Commitment to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in New Roadmap

BRUSSELS, 07.03.25 — The Center for Reproductive Rights and the International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network welcome today’s release of the European Commission’s new Roadmap for Women’s Rights. The Roadmap sets out the EU’s long-term vision for advancing gender equality and protecting women’s rights—including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)—across the EU and globally.

The EU boasts some of the world’s strongest legal protections for SRHR, and many member states are actively expanding access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. However, significant barriers and striking inequalities remain, preventing the full realisation of these rights across all member states, and impacting a broad range of fundamental rights, including the rights to health, life, privacy, equality and non-discrimination, and freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. In recent years, some countries have already rolled back protections for existing rights, and the threat of further regression remains a very real concern.

Globally and within the EU, continued progress on SRHR is now facing new, unprecedented challenges. At this critical inflection point, the EU’s longstanding leadership on SRHR is crucial. It is now more important than ever to reaffirm the EU’s unwavering commitment to promoting gender equality and fundamental rights.

The new EU Roadmap on Women’s Rights is designed to serve as a framework for EU action towards long-term progress on gender equality in the EU and globally. It includes several important commitments to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights as core components of women’s rights and gender equality.

“As threats to reproductive rights persist globally, the EU must lead by example and champion sexual and reproductive health and rights,” said Katrine Thomasen, Associate Director for Europe at the Center for Reproductive Rights. “This landmark Roadmap reinforces that the full realisation of SRHR is a necessary prerequisite to achieving gender equality. It sends a powerful message that the EU is committed to protecting and advancing SRHR at a time when women’s rights are at risk. This is a welcome first step, and the EU must now continue its efforts towards even stronger and more ambitious action.”

“The Roadmap comes at a crucial time for the EU to reaffirm its commitment to SRHR, as EU values. The EU must decisively counter any threats, disinformation and retrogression on SRHR and bodily autonomy, and provide clear and direct support to those on the front lines. Bold and concrete actions are now needed by the EU to ensure Member States safeguard and advance SRHR”, said Eef Wuyts, Regional External Relations Director at the International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network.  

The Center for Reproductive Rights and the International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network urge the European Commission to take effective and meaningful action to realise the vision for women’s rights outlined in the Roadmap, including in the upcoming Gender Equality Strategy, and work closely with member states to ensure that strengthening SRHR protections remain a top priority across the EU.

We call on EU institutions and national governments to take decisive action to build a more just and equal society by removing barriers to reproductive healthcare and upholding the right of every individual to bodily autonomy and informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Mihela Kralj, Senior Communications Manager for Europe, Center for Reproductive Rights: [email protected]

Cosmina Marian, Communications, Voice and Media Advisor, International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network: [email protected]

About the Center for Reproductive Rights: The Center for Reproductive Rights is a global human rights organization that works to protect reproductive rights as fundamental human rights around the world. Since its founding in 1992, the Center’s game-changing litigation, legal policy and advocacy work across five continents has transformed how reproductive rights are understood by courts, governments and human rights bodies. The Center has offices in New York, Washington, Bogota, Nairobi and Geneva.

About the International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network: The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. IPPF European Network is one of IPPF’s six regional networks. IPPF EN works with its members and partners in over 40 countries across Europe and Central Asia. IPPF EN cares for all people across Europe, especially the most socially excluded, and recognises their right to lead free and safe sexual and reproductive lives, free from harm and discrimination.