PARITY NOW! Ending the Gender Power Gap

Published onJanuary 28, 2026

On 27 January 2026, the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) launched its PARITY NOW! Campaign, developed by the Women in Politics Working Group, calling for the institutionalisation of equal representation of women and men in all spheres of decision-making at national, European, and international levels.

As part of the campaign, EWL sent a formal letter to 1,381 recipients (including Heads of State, Prime Ministers, Ministers in charge of equality, Foreign Affairs and Justice Ministers, and Parliamentary leaders) across 46 Council of Europe countries. The letter, also shared with 149 partner NGOs and allies, urges political leaders to take concrete steps toward achieving 50/50 parity.

Find our official press release here

1232

Policymakers

149

NGOs & Allies

Campaign Milestones

🚀 Launching the movement

27 January 2026

PARITY NOW! officially launched with an unprecedented call for action.

Over 1,300 letters sent to political leaders and decision-makers across all Council of Europe States Parties.
NGOs, civil society organisations and allies joined the initiative.
The campaign called for the institutionalisation of CEDAW General Recommendation No. 40, making parity the standard in political and public decision-making.
Evidence from the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) underpins the campaign’s recommendations.

Building political momentum

Brussels – 28 January 2026

The campaign was introduced to policymakers, journalists and partners during a dedicated briefing in Brussels.

National members translated and disseminated campaign materials across Europe.
Media outreach and national advocacy activities amplified the campaign’s reach.
In Slovenia, the campaign was officially presented during a press conference at the Representation of the European Commission.

🌍 Taking parity to the United Nations

CSW70 – New York

PARITY NOW! reached the global stage at the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

The European Women’s Lobby organised a dedicated side event bringing together international experts and decision-makers to exchange concrete solutions for achieving equal representation in leadership and decision-making worldwide.

📢 Keeping leaders accountable

What’s next?

The campaign continues.

Political leaders have been invited to share the concrete measures they are taking to achieve parity.

Next Steps & Replies Received so Far

EWL continues to monitor and assess the measures taken by policymakers in response to the campaign.

Exceptional Members Contribution

We wish to thank our members from Slovenia for sending the letter to all party leaders in the context of the national elections in March 2026, and Plataforma Portuguesa dos Direitos das Mulheres’s work to disseminate the campaign at the national level in Portugal has achieved remarkable results.

As of 30 January 2026, the campaign and PpDM’s press release were featured in seven nationwide media outlets, including: