The European Union has issued a general comment at the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council calling for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and girls in care and support systems. The statement, delivered by the European External Action Service on 6 July 2026, urges states to address systemic inequalities in caregiving roles that disproportionately affect women and girls.
The EU's intervention at the Geneva-based council underscores its commitment to gender equality in care policies, a priority that has been advanced through various EU initiatives. The general comment aligns with the EU's Gender Action Plan III, which promotes women's rights globally, and builds on the Council of the EU's conclusions on gender equality in external relations. The statement calls for recognition of unpaid care work, investment in care infrastructure, and protection of women and girls from discrimination in both formal and informal care settings.
The EU's position emphasizes that care and support systems must be designed to empower women and girls, not reinforce traditional gender roles. The general comment encourages states to adopt legal frameworks that ensure equal access to care services and to combat stereotypes that assign care responsibilities exclusively to women. The EU also highlights the need for data collection and monitoring to track progress in eliminating discrimination in care systems.
The statement reflects a broader EU push for gender mainstreaming in international forums, following similar interventions on women's economic empowerment and ending gender-based violence. The EU's call at the Human Rights Council is expected to influence member states' policies and international norms on care and support systems, with potential implications for funding and technical assistance programs.