Menu

Filter by
content
PONT Data&Privacy
  • PONT home
    • mill

    0

    Algorithms and models
    Algoritmen zijn rekenregels waarmee systemen patronen herkennen, voorspellen en beslissingen nemen. Dit dossier behandelt de werking, training en toepassing van algoritmen en modellen, en de eisen op het gebied van transparantie, controleerbaarheid en betrouwbaarheid.

    EU calls for targeted action on gender equality in the AI era

    The Council of the European Union wants targeted steps to promote gender equality in this digital age - with a special focus on the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence (AI). In the recommendations presented today, the Council makes a series of proposals to address persistent inequalities between women and men, focusing on discrimination, prejudice and violence against women in the digital world.

    Council of the European Union June 23, 2025

    News/press release

    News/press release
    According to Katarzyna Kotula, Poland's Equality Minister, promoting gender equality within a modern, digital society is a focus of the Polish EU presidency.

    "We must actively counter the inequality that is reinforced or caused by technology," Kotula said. "That means naming risks and dangers of AI and the online world as well as exploiting what can go right. Only if everyone - governments, businesses, tech sector, and citizens - participates can we build systems in which women and girls are safe, including online."



    Two tracks: integration and targeted policies

    According to the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), a two-pronged approach is needed to make real progress: on the one hand, gender equality must be taken into account in all policy areas; on the other hand, specific measures focusing on the position of women are also needed. The Council therefore calls on member states to strengthen their government structures in the field of gender equality, with clear mandates and sufficient resources.

    Technology as both risk and opportunity

    The recommendations pay particular attention to gender-based violence that occurs through technology - such as online harassment and hate messages. National action plans against gender violence should explicitly address this, the Council states. Women in visible positions, especially young women and women from marginalized groups, are disproportionately victims of online violence. This undermines their participation in public life.

    Addressing gender bias in AI

    AI systems can reinforce existing biases if they are trained on faulty or one-sided data. Therefore, the Council urges member states to take measures to prevent this. Consider the use of representative and good-quality data, human monitoring, and testing against discrimination laws and AI regulations. At the same time, the Council also sees potential: if properly designed, AI can actually help reduce human bias and identify patterns of inequality more quickly.

    Tackling online misogyny

    It is concerned about the growing difference in attitudes toward gender equality between young men and women, and the rise of online misogyny. More research is needed on the networks behind misogyny and masculinity ideologies online. Boys and men also need to be actively involved in breaking down inequality.

    Gender equality as a continuing EU priority

    It calls on the European Commission to continue to make gender equality a priority in the coming years (2024-2029). This means, among other things, that Internet platforms must work together to improve the online safety of women and girls. Furthermore, the Council advocates for mainstreaming a gender perspective in all future EU legislation, funding and policies - such as in the implementation of the AI Act, the Digital Services Act and future EU policies around AI and STEM education. Gender equality in the digital transition should also receive more attention in foreign policy.

    Background

    Equal rights for men and women are enshrined in the EU Treaties and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. The European Commission presented a new long-term roadmap for women's rights in March 2025, which serves as a framework for policies to strengthen gender equality in all parts of society and the economy.

    The recommendations adopted today build on recent legislation, such as:

    • Directive 2024/1385, which focuses on addressing violence against women and domestic violence;
    • Regulation 2024/1689 (AI Act), the first comprehensive law on AI in Europe;
    • Regulation 2022/2065 (Digital Services Act), designed to improve users' online safety and combat illegal content.

    Share article

    Comments

    MORE REACTIONS

    Leave a comment

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    NEWS

    How does the AVG relate to AI applications? EDPB Opinion 28/2024 at a glance.

    Blog

    'AI Compliance Officer must speak the language of both lawyer and techie'

    Interviews

    Deepfakes and copyright: is there a legal breakthrough?

    News press release

    Bill strengthening safeguard function Awb: a valuable step for algorithmic decision making

    Blog

    The July 2025 parliamentary letter on the reflection paper and internet consultation "Algorithmic decision-making and the Awb" shows that more specific standards regulating algorithmic...

    Digital versus digitizing

    Blog
    Hans Timmerman

    AIV: Put democratic values at the center of international AI strategy

    News press release

    New tools for AI regulation implementation

    News press release

    Does AI take over in supervision?

    Blog

    Halfway through the implementation of the AI regulation?

    Blog
    Bits of Freedom

    Join PONT | Data & Privacy

  • Access to Knowledge Base
  • Read e-books
  • Contact with peers
  • Own news overview
    • BECOME A MEMBER

    General

    Service

    Navigate

    Berghauser Pont Media Group

    CONTACT

    𝕏

    Copyright 2025 Berghauser Pont | Website created by Buro Zero