Closing the gender employment gap is key to a gender-equal and competitive Europe.
Ceemet, in collaboration with other European and national employer organisations, is organising an event on “From gap to growth: Advancing women’s economic activity”, taking place on 29 September 2026 in Brussels.
Europe is facing significant challenges that require higher levels of economic activity. Women hold the greatest unleveraged potential for expanding the labour force, with up to 17.3 million additional active individuals by 2030. For the MET (metal, engineering and technology-based) industries, already grappling with structural labour shortages, bringing more women into the workforce is not a side issue but a central element to securing the skilled workforce our companies need.
Although women outperform men in educational attainment, their employment rate remains significantly lower. Women are more likely to work part-time, hold temporary roles or experience career breaks. Even in Europe, home to 15 of the world’s 20 most gender-equal countries, important steps remain before women and men enjoy truly equal opportunities in the labour market and throughout their careers.
Ceemet has long argued that tackling labour shortages requires investing in active labour market policies, and bringing women back to the labour market is a core part of that agenda. Unlocking women’s full economic potential requires coordinated reforms and sustained efforts across several policy areas.
How do employers in industries contribute to increasing women’s labour market participation and creating equal opportunities? What motivates their efforts, and what challenges do they face? How can the EU and the new Gender Equality Strategy support these efforts, and help address the labour shortages that are holding back Europe’s industrial competitiveness?
Join us to discuss these questions with policymakers, social partners and industry representatives.
Programme:
15:00 – Welcome remarks
Miriam Pinto, Head European and International Social Affairs, CEOE
15.05 – Keynote Speech
Barbara de Micheli, Head Social Justice Unit, Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini
15.15 – Presentation BusinessEurope’s Priorities for Strengthening Gender Equality
Giorgia Antonucci¸ Adviser, BusinessEurope
15.25 – First Panel, Business Approaches & Initiatives
- Anne-Laure Khun, Director Labor Relations, Amazon France
- Malene Thomsen, Senior HR Business Partner, Kemp & Lauritzen
- Isabelle Barthes Deputy Secretary General, industriAll Europe.
Moderated by Martin Steen Kabongo, Director European and International Affairs, DA
16:05 – Second Panel, Political Responses
- Lina Gálvez, Chair FEMM Committee (S&D), European Parliament
- Ana Carla Pereira, Director Equality and Non-Discrimination, DG JUST
- Nina Groes, CEO and Founder Divers
- Valentina Patrini, Social Policy Analyst, OECD.
Moderated by Anna Kwiatkiewicz, Senior Adviser, BusinessEurope
16.45 – Closing Remarks
Dr. Gabriella Sebardt, Chair Equal Opportunities Network, BusinessEurope
16.50 – Networking Session