As the European Union undergoes a profound transformation of its security and defence policies, the integration of gender equality and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda remains a critical and still unresolved challenge.
On Wednesday, 14 October 2026, MEP Gabi Bischoff and Gender Five Plus will host a breakfast discussion at the European Parliament in Brussels, bringing together key voices to explore how gender-responsive approaches can be meaningfully integrated into Europe’s evolving security and defence architecture.
At the centre of the discussion will be the new Gender Five Plus policy brief:
The policy brief has been commissioned by Gender Five Plus and authored by Dr. Loredana Teodorescu, President of Women in International Security (WIIS) Italy. It examines the current challenges and opportunities for advancing the WPS agenda within the EU’s changing security and defence landscape, and puts forward a strategic agenda for implementation.
The breakfast will provide an opportunity to discuss how the EU can align its expanding defence agenda with its longstanding commitments to gender equality, inclusive security and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
The discussion will include Irene Fellin, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security, alongside other key stakeholders and experts working on gender, peace and security.
Event details
📅 Wednesday, 14 October 2026
🕗 8:00–10:00
📍 European Parliament, Brussels
Registration is now open.
If you would like to attend, please register through the link below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOcCKrgXZPCOb7iJF4dUtwIujSho_g3jUhrlllzZwzrITCIA/viewform
Further details about the programme and participants will be unveiled soon.
We look forward to welcoming you for this timely discussion on the role of gender equality and the Women, Peace and Security agenda in shaping the future of European security and defence.