Today (Nov 6th, 2024), Commissioner-Designate Hadja Lahbib, faced the hearing in front of the European Parliament, which had a strong focus on her Equality portfolio. While facing some vicious questions from the far-right, she had firm answers regarding women’s equality, the implementation of the Directive on Violence against Women, and vowed to renew the LGBTI Equality Strategy and the Anti-Racism Strategy.

These are all positive signals, and we are ready to collaborate on these topics. Lahbib has responded strongly to questions concerning funding for CSOs, gender affirmation, and gender. We need robust engagement for an intersectional approach to all these policies, and the EU must continue to support CSOs.

The implementation of these critical measures cannot leave behind LBQ women, trans and intersex people, racialised and disabled LGBTI persons. As clearly shown by the questions asked during the hearing, clear political will from the Commission is indispensable, and we urge the Commission to continue showing up for women of the LGBTI community and other under-represented groups.

We continue monitoring the Parliament’s confirmation process and look forward to working with EU institutions for lesbians in the EU and beyond.