Building a digital Europe of equal opportunities

Creating a feminist agenda for quality jobs,
affordable housing and democratic empowerment

Call to Europe, held bi-annually in the country hosting the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, serves as a dynamic platform for dialogue among key stakeholders, experts, civil society representatives, and policymakers. Guided by the 3-P principle – Positive, Participatory, and Progressive – FEPS aims to inspire meaningful conversations on Europe’s most pressing challenges. The initiative strives to ‘bridge the gap’ between European citizens and institutions by employing interactive and inclusive formats. Ireland is holding the presidency from July to December 2026. 

The key priorities of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU are competitiveness, security and values. On Saturday, 17 October, FEPS analysed these priorities from a progressive and gender equality angle with three sessions on: 

• Competitiveness without a free pass for big tech, 
• Security, focusing on providing a roof for people, 
• Values that defend democracy. 

All across these fields, women, girls and the LGBTQIA+ community are affected very differently and, often in a negative way. The EU must facilitate and embrace digital opportunities that have a meaningful impact in creating an equal, social Europe. 

Opening addresses

Opening session and welcome remarks by

• Ivana Bacik, President of Irish Labour Party
• László Andor, Secretary General, Foundation for European
  Progressive Studies (FEPS)

Keynote Message

• Iratxe García Pérez, President of the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament on Building a digital Europe of equal opportunities

Moderated by Ania Skrzypek, Director for Research and Training, FEPS

Advancing Gender Equality Through Affordable and Quality Housing

Ireland, like the rest of the European Union, is facing a severe housing crisis, with a lack of supply, increased homelessness and demands for social housing. Vulnerable groups, especially women, are the first to suffer from this situation. Housing insecurity, exacerbated by the gender pay gap, is a major concern for women, especially for single mothers. It increases the risk of poverty, social exclusion, mental health issues, and gender-based violence. This is also a central issue for the LGBTQI+ community, which disproportionately faces harassment, rental scams and structural poverty.

With this panel, we explored how progressive policies for affordable housing can advance gender equality, reduce discrimination and contribute to the eradication of poverty in the EU.

Speakers:

• Aodhán O’ Ríordáin, Member of the European Parliament, S&D Group, Ireland
• Irene Tinagli, Member of the European Parliament, Chair of the HOUS Committee, S&D Group, Italy
• Viola Bianchetti, Programmes Manager, IGLYO
• Michaela Kauer, Director of Brussels Office of the City of Vienna
• Mar Jiménez Carete, Commissioner for European Affairs at Barcelona City Council

Moderator by François Balate, Policy Analyst on Social and Academic Coordinator, FEPS

🏡The event also featured the Socialist and Democrats Group in the European Parliament’s Housing Exhibition, which showcases real stories from across Europe and opens the door to Europe’s housing reality.

Listen to Katherina’s story about how housing policies that prioritise social, cooperative and non-profit housing can benefit EU citizens.

Sustainable careers in STEM fields

Women remain underrepresented across the AI ecosystem of Ireland and the EU as founders, investors, innovators, and decision-makers. Despite high levels of educational attainment, women continue to experience lower levels of employment and earnings in STEM fields. These inequalities are also reflected in career progression, with women often taking extended career breaks due to limited access to affordable childcare. When returning to their STEM careers after maternity leave, women can face further barriers to re-entering and progressing in the labour market, including gender bias in recruitment.

Women remain underrepresented across the AI ecosystem of Ireland and the EU as founders, investors, innovators, and decision-makers. Despite high levels of educational attainment, women continue to experience lower levels of employment and earnings in STEM fields. These inequalities are also reflected in career progression, with women often taking extended career breaks due to limited access to affordable childcare. When returning to their STEM careers after maternity leave, women can face further barriers to re-entering and progressing in the labour market, including gender bias in recruitment.

This panel explored how Ireland and the EU can ensure that the transition to an AI-driven economy delivers fair and inclusive outcomes across society. Without deliberate action, the digital transition risks reinforcing existing social and economic inequalities, including persistent gender inequalities in the labour market.

Speakers:

• Mariam Asghari, Secretary General of Young European Socialists
• Prof. Marian Crowley-Henry, Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior, University of Maynooth
• Aarthi Kumar, Founder, Yookthi Labs
• Alison Gilliland, Former Lord Mayor of Dublin, European Climate Pact Ambassador

Moderated by Inga Sabanova, Policy Officer, FES Competence Center on the Future of Work

Daring more democracy in the new era

This panel explores the growing threat to women’s political participation and rights posed by the rise of ‘manospheres’ and digital violence. Using Ireland’s 2024 constitutional referendum to modernise the language about women’s roles as a case study, we examined how these trends reflect broader European challenges. Even without far-right parties in mainstream politics, such narratives shape public opinion, undermining democracy and gender equality.

The discussion focused on how the Irish Presidency can strengthen European democracy by advancing women’s rights, particularly through online political participation.

A key emphasis was on policies to foster gender equality online as a foundation for democracy and free speech, while protecting women – especially young women – from digital aggression and empowering them to thrive in the digital space.

Key topics addressed:

• Democratic innovations to rebuild trust, and dismantle structural barriers to empower women,
• The role of traditional parties in appealing to diverse voters,
• Lessons learned from Ireland’s referendum and
• Ways in which women and the LGBTQI+ community can be protected from the aggression and violence online.

Speakers

• Evin Incir, Member of the European Parliament, S&D Group, Sweden
• Michelle Hall, Councillor, Louth, Drogheda Rural
• Hannah Phillips, Jo Cox Foundation, Respectful Politics Policy Manager
• Salome Mbugua, AKIDWA – Network of Migrant Women
• Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, Member of the European Parliament, S&D Group, Poland

Moderator by Ania Skrzypek, Director for Research and Training, FEPS

Insights from the discussion & closing

• Zita Gurmai, PES Women President
• Lhamo Fitzsimons, National Secretary of Labour Youth
• Mariam Asghari, Secretary General of Young European Socialists

By FEPS in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Think-tank for Action on Social Change (TASC), the Irish Labour Party, Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), PES Women, Young European Socialists (YES) and PES Committee of the Regions. 

Pictures of the event are available here: