On December 12, 2025, The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) Director Carlien Scheele addressed the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs. Mrs. Scheele emphasized that, while progress has been made, gender disparities remain pervasive in the EU labor market. Unequal pay and the “sticky floor” phenomenon, which traps women in low-paying jobs, continue to be significant issues. This underscores the importance of the Pay Transparency Directive, though it alone cannot erase deeply ingrained societal biases. The Work-Life Balance Directive is another critical tool, aimed at supporting working parents and carers by ensuring they can balance family responsibilities with career aspirations. The EIGE calls for holistic measures to address the root causes of these inequalities, recognizing that closing the gender gap will benefit not only individuals but also economies and societies as a whole.