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Eurocities supports cities in turning gender equality commitments into practical action. It helps them share knowledge, learn from each other and implement the European Strategy for Gender Equality. This work contributes to Principle 2 of the European Pillar of Social Rights, which promotes equal treatment and opportunities for women and men.

With European Union funding, Eurocities produced a report mapping local gender equality policies. It also launched the Inclusive Cities 4 All campaign, through which mayors committed funding and concrete measures to promote equality.

Cities turn commitments into action

The mapping report drew on evidence from 20 cities in 12 EU countries, covering 20 million residents. It examined cities’ responsibilities, policies, challenges and good practices.

Barcelona, Gothenburg, Malmö and Stockholm reported having full responsibility for addressing gender equality locally. Barcelona, for example, has a municipal law that gives the city responsibility for developing equality policies and supporting carers.

Two thirds of the cities surveyed integrate gender equality into their policies through a strategy or action plan. Barcelona’s Strategy against the Feminisation of Poverty and Deprivation aimed to reduce poverty among women while embedding equality across different policy areas.

Cities use several approaches to advance gender equality:

• Embedding equality in policies and budgets: Lille Metropole introduced a gender equality strategy covering all its policies, while Vienna applies gender budgeting to its programmes.
• Providing specialist support: Vienna funds women’s shelters, operates a 24-hour emergency helpline and provides free legal advice. It also supports women’s organisations and runs empowerment workshops for girls.
• Improving childcare: Warsaw’s Mother Work and Me programme combines training, childcare support and connections to local employers.
• Supporting women facing additional barriers: Amsterdam offers Dutch lessons to refugee mothers at their children’s schools during class hours.
• Preventing gender-based violence: Nantes invested €1 million in a dedicated support centre for victims.
• Using public contracts: Barcelona added gender equality requirements to 79 public contracts.
• Tracking progress: Berlin publishes an annual Gender Data Report to monitor inequality and guide local policies.

Mayors make concrete pledges

Eight cities made gender equality commitments through Inclusive Cities 4 All.

Bologna pledged to support victims of gender-based violence and help companies address the gender pay gap. Gijón combined specialist care with employment programmes and flexible childcare. Ljubljana committed to integrating equality across municipal services and improving its own practices as an employer.

Madrid supports 17 Gender Equality Spaces and works with 200 companies on equality plans and work-life balance. Nantes created a Gender Equality Council with 600 members from communities, businesses and public institutions.

Vienna provides free childcare for children up to six. Its Take Our Daughters to Work Day involves more than 3,000 girls and 160 businesses each year. Barcelona reported that 41% of its budget positively affects gender equality, while 5% of local funding directly supports equality activities.

Priorities for European action

The paper highlights that women played a central role during the COVID-19 pandemic but faced greater economic risks because they were more likely to be in temporary, part-time or insecure work.

Eurocities calls on the European Union to increase women’s role in decision-making, recognise care work, support women-led businesses and help cities collect comparable data on gender-based violence.

Overall, cities can drive gender equality by combining political leadership, targeted services, public investment and reliable evidence. Their closeness to residents enables them to identify barriers and develop solutions based on women’s everyday experiences.