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Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Social policy), 29 June 2026
Main results
Cyber violence against girls
The Council approved conclusions on preventing and combating cyber violence against girls. Based on a report produced by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), the conclusions call for various actions, including:
better support for victims, parents and educators
preventive action such as effective content moderation by economic actors (e.g. platforms, social media)
more resources and technical expertise for law enforcement agencies and non-governmental organisations
Today's conclusions mark a crucial milestone in protecting girls and young women online. The protection of minors from digital violence has been a horizontal priority of the Cyprus presidency. We are acknowledging that cyber violence against girls is real, widespread, and rapidly evolving, and that protecting girls and young women in the digital age is a shared European responsibility. This means equipping schools and parents with the awareness and tools they need to protect young people, while ensuring that the law enforcement is more effective so that online violence faces real consequences.
Clea Papaellina, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Republic of Cyprus
The conclusions were drawn up in the context of the review of the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, the UN agenda for gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Ministers approved conclusions on housing, with a focus on shifting demographics and shaping future policies.
Housing needs across Europe are changing, shaped by ageing populations, smaller households, and urbanisation. This shift is creating a growing challenge for many Europeans, particularly young people, families, and essential workers. From the outset, Cyprus presidency set a clear political objective: to place housing firmly at the centre of the European social and political agenda. Because housing is ultimately about people. These conclusions set a shared direction for action, calling for stronger efforts to improve access to affordable and suitable housing for all and to ensure that housing systems better respond to demographic shifts and people’s everyday realities.
Konstantinos Ioannou, Minister of Interior of the Republic of Cyprus
The conclusions call on policymakers at national level to take into consideration the interplay between demographic trends and housing needs, as well as the needs of those who struggle to access affordable housing.
The Commission is invited to continue supporting the efforts of member states, including at regional and local levels.
Following the successful conclusion of negotiations to revise the EU’s regulations on social security coordination, ministers exchanged views on further potential changes to the legislation in this area. In particular, they focused on strengthening cooperation and data exchange between member states.
The results of today’s discussion are expected to feed into the Commission’s work on a new proposal to address these issues, alongside new trends such as cross-border telework.
Ministers discussed the recently published social package, with a focus on achieving the goals of the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy.
In particular, they shared their views on the best ways to implement the measures proposed in the strategy in order to speed up progress towards achieving the poverty-reduction target.
They also exchanged information about approaches already being taken at a national level to encourage the take-up of social benefits and services.
The Council held an exchange of views on the topic of housing security, with a focus on responding to the needs of students and middle-income households.
Ministers shared examples of regulatory and administrative measures that have proven effective in addressing the kinds of housing affordability challenges that are faced by these groups, with a focus on areas experiencing housing shortages.
They also explored ways to further mobilise public and private investment in order to expand affordable housing options for students and middle-income households while also ensuring housing security, social inclusion and long-term affordability.
Following the Commission’s presentation of the European Semester Spring Package, the Council endorsed opinions by the Employment Committee (EMCO) and the Social Protection Committee (SPC) on the 2026 CSRs and the implementation of the 2025 CSRs. It also approved the employment and social aspects of the 2025 CSRs.
The chair of EMCO presented key messages on gender-related aspects of job quality. The messages are the outcome of a tripartite meeting organised by EMCO’s Policy Analysis Group (PAG), which took place on 24 and 25 March 2026 with representatives of EU-level and national social partners, member states and the Commission.
Under 'other business', the presidency shared information on the state of play of current legislative fields, specifically coordination of social security systems, the sixth revision of the directive on carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances at work, the traineeships directive, and the equal treatment directive. Ministers also received information about events that took place during the Cyprus presidency, and the incoming Irish presidency shared its priorities in the field of employment and social policy.
Over lunch, ministers took part in an informal discussion on the protection of workers from climate change and exposure to extreme temperatures.
'A' items
Under A items, the Council took note of a progress report on the regulation on the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and Union support for health emergency preparedness and response.
