Policy
Shaping European health policy for women with gynaecological cancers
ESGO is strengthening its voice at EU level to ensure that women affected by gynaecological cancers have equitable access to high-quality care and treatment.
Launched in 2024, our advocacy initiative brings together clinicians, policymakers, and patient experts to ensure that policy is informed by both clinical expertise and lived experience.
Through our engagement with the EU at a political level, we are actively campaigning for improved standards of care, better access to treatment, increased research funding, and the establishment of a Network of Centres of Excellence for Women’s Health across member states.
World Gynecologic Oncology Day in the EU
In September 2026, ESGO and ENGAGe successfully engaged the institutions of the European Union to participate in World Gynecologic Oncology Day. This included receiving official patronage of the campaign by the European Parliament and the active support and involvement of more than 10 MEPs.
This campaign aligns with key EU initiatives, including the European Commission’s Gender Equality Strategy 2026–2030 and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, enabling us to send a strong message advocating for health and gender equity, and improved care for women with gynaecological cancers across Europe.
Building an EU-Wide Network of Centres of Excellence
A cornerstone of ESGO’s advocacy strategy is the development of a European Network of Centres of Excellence for Women’s Health.
This initiative aims to:
- Harmonise quality standards across Europe
- Reduce geographic inequalities in cancer outcomes
- Ensure every woman has access to expert, multidisciplinary care
To drive this initiative forward, we hosted a high-level policy event at the European Parliament in January 2026, co-hosted by MEPs Vytenis Andriukaitis, Tilly Metz and Romana Jerković. Bringing together leading clinicians, policymakers, and patient advocates from ENGAGe, the event provided a platform for dialogue on women’s health and featured a presentation of our proposal for the network.
Access campaign materials:
Position statements
Explore ESGO's formal positions and contributions to clinical, ethical, and structural standards in gynaecological oncology.
Read our official position statement outlining the structural framework and strategic vision for the proposed EU network.
Led by the EDI & sustainability working group, this statement outlines the critical role of ergonomic equity and inclusive theatre design in optimising patient outcomes and supporting diverse surgical teams.
Latest news
World Gynecologic Oncology Day receives patronage of European Parliament
This year's World Gynecologic Oncology Day will take place under the patronage of the European Parliament, with several MEPs also supporting the campaign and elevating it to the EU policy level.
ESGO high-level policy event at the European Parliament
ESGO hosted a High-Level Policy Event at the European Parliament on 28 January 2026, focusing on women’s health and presenting its proposal for an EU-wide network of Centres of Excellence.
ESGO signs call to action to advance HPV vaccination
ESGO has signed a joint international call to action on advancing HPV vaccination for adults.
ESGO and ENGAGe endorse definition of ‘unmet medical need’
ESGO and ENGAGe have co-signed a position paper by Cancer Patients Europe that proposes an expanded definition of 'unmet medical need'.
ESGO and ENGAGe contribute to uterine cancer position paper
ESGO and ENGAGe have joined nine gynaecological networks and societies to develop a position paper calling to ensure uterine cancer receives the global attention it deserves.
ESGO responds to EU consultation on the 2026–2030 Gender Equality Strategy
In August 2025, ESGO made a submission to the European Commission's Gender Equality Strategy post-2025 outlining the importance of including women's health at the forefront of this strategy, drawing on its expertise in women's cancer care. In its submission, ESGO proposed the establishment of an EU-wide Ecosystem of Centres of Excellence for Women’s Health, which would unite Member States and ensure all women in Europe can access high-quality cancer care.
ESGO calls for coordinated EU action on gynaecological cancers in SANT Committee exchange of views
Vice President Ass. Prof. Maja Pakiz participated in an exchange of views with the European Parliament’s Committee on Public Health (SANT) on 14 May 2025, calling for stronger and more coordinated EU-level action to address the persistent gaps in care, research, and policy surrounding ovarian and other gynaecological cancers.