Gender Equality Charter

Cooperatives Europe Gender Equality Charter

Cooperatives Europe has released its Gender Equality Charter, a document approved by the General Assembly, committing to strengthen its activities to close the gender gap. The Charter calls on members to implement its 10 commitments within their respective organisations.

Re-affirming its support for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and aligning with the EU Gender Equality Strategy, the European cooperative movement places Sustainable Development Goal no. 5 – Gender – at the centre of its efforts. Cooperatives aim to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality, ensuring that everyone can fulfil their potential and contribute to a fairer society. Among its key commitments, the Charter emphasises the promotion of work-life balance, support for women in cooperative entrepreneurship, and best practice sharing.

The Charter was developed by Cooperatives Europe’s Gender Equality Working Group, which includes members from 15 countries and two European sectoral organisations. This group coordinates advocacy, research, and knowledge-sharing actions, ensuring a united cooperative voice on gender equality at the European level, aligned with the Europe 2020 Strategy and the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Stefania Marcone, Vice-President of Cooperatives Europe and Chair of the Gender Equality Working Group, stated:

“Cooperatives, as people-centred businesses, are a crucial tool for women’s empowerment, providing access to labour and self-entrepreneurship, and ensuring their voice is heard in the economy and society. The role of women has become even more important in light of recent challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic. By adopting this Charter, the European cooperative movement commits to making a difference for millions of women cooperators today and in the future, in Europe and globally.”

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