In recent years Europe has faced significant and persistent gender-based economic disparities. On average, women across the European Union earn 16.4% less per hour than men, with the gender pay gap varying substantially across the rest of the continent. Structural barriers also continue to limit women’s economic status, with women only making up only 20% of top-level board members in decision-making roles throughout Europe. Combined with the 39% gender-pension gap, women continue to be disproportionately concentrated in insecure employment areas with minimal social protections. These disparities are furthered by occupational segregation, where women are overrepresented in lower paid roles such as childcare, retail, and education, while men dominate high-paid STEM and executive roles. Unpaid childcare and household responsibilities further restrict women’s ability to participate in the workforce, reducing their lifetime earnings and widening economic inequality across generations.

The CSW committee delegates will analyze these challenges, assess the effectiveness of current European and regional policy initiatives and develop actionable recommendations. Delegates will explore strategies such as pay transparency laws, support for women’s entrepreneurship, equitable social services, and gender-sensitive policy reforms. Delegates will analyze these different strategies, all with the aim of promoting equitable growth and economic empowerment for women across Europe.