European Commissioner for Equality and Humanitarian Aid Hadja Lahbib called on women to actively shape the development of artificial intelligence and take leadership roles in technology, politics and diplomacy, in a speech at the French Senate on 4 May 2026. Speaking at a colloquium on women's leadership, Lahbib warned that without women's involvement, AI risks embedding gender stereotypes and inequalities into the fabric of society, noting that 80% of tech jobs are held by men and that five men – Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, Dario Amodei, Demis Hassabis and Elon Musk – dominate the most powerful AI companies. She framed the issue as a choice: 'Are women going to help shape this new world, or are we going to be shaped by it?'
Lahbib presented the EU's new Gender Equality Strategy, adopted on 8 March 2026, as a concrete response to what she described as a global backlash against women's rights. The strategy contains 30 measures covering violence, health, economic empowerment and political participation. She highlighted that at the current pace, it would take 50 years to achieve full equality, adding: 'I don't have time to wait that long, and I'm sure you don't either.'
Violence and health
The first chapter of the strategy targets violence against women, which affects one in three women in the EU. Lahbib noted that the European Parliament recently sent a strong signal by introducing a European definition of consent in rape cases, and that the Digital Services Act and AI Act aim to hold digital platforms accountable for cyberharassment, deepfakes and pornfakes. On health, she announced a new initiative with the World Health Organization to address gender biases in medical research and clinical trials, which she said cost lives every year.
Economic empowerment and transparency
Lahbib argued that closing the gender employment gap could boost EU GDP per capita by nearly 10% and create over 10 million jobs by 2050, calling women 'the largest source of untapped talent.' She stressed that a key directive on pay transparency must be implemented by June 2026, and that the EU aims to become the top destination for women in research, innovation and startups by 2030. She also noted that the EU itself is setting an example, with women leading the Commission, Parliament, the diplomatic service and the European Investment Bank.
Political participation and online safety
Lahbib revealed that she was personally targeted by online attacks after her nomination, with her Wikipedia page modified over 800 times in weeks. She said one-third of women politicians in Europe face online violence and leave social media as a result. Her team is working on a recommendation to protect women in politics from threats and harassment, arguing that 'democracy cannot thrive if women are driven out of public life.'
Humanitarian crises and peace
As Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, Lahbib stressed that women and girls bear the heaviest cost in conflicts worldwide, citing sexual violence as a weapon of war in Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine. The EU allocated over €100 million last year to combat gender-based violence and support sexual and reproductive health. She highlighted the Women, Peace and Security agenda, arguing that peace is more durable when women are at the negotiating table as mediators and decision-makers, not just observers.
Lahbib concluded by urging women to claim their place at the top: 'When a woman rises, she lifts others with her. Look around you – the next great European leader may be sitting right next to you. It may be you.'
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