Social Economy Europe, in collaboration with the European Commission, recently published its 2025-2026 report, focusing on the role of female entrepreneurship within cooperative structures.
This article analyzes the findings of the recent Social Economy Europe study regarding gender balance in the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE). It examines the statistical predominance of female employment in the sector, the barriers to assuming leadership positions, and the policies proposed by the European Union to enhance inclusivity, incorporating data from the latest European surveys.
According to the report's statistics, women represent 62% of the total workforce in the social economy in Europe, a figure significantly higher than the 46% average in the private sector. The analysis shows that the social economy acts as a catalyst for integrating women into the labor market, particularly in sectors such as social care and education. However, the "glass ceiling" phenomenon persists, as only 35% of board positions in large cooperatives are held by women.
The research also highlights that 45% of women employed in the social economy report a better work-life balance due to flexible governance models. Furthermore, data from Social Economy Europe indicates that the gender pay gap within social enterprises is 10 percentage points lower than in traditional businesses.
Through the "InvestEU" program, the Commission plans to allocate specific funds in 2026 to support female-led cooperative initiatives in technology and green energy, aiming to eliminate financial exclusion.
The data confirms that the social economy is a prime field for promoting gender equality. The high concentration of women in the sector is not only a matter of quantity but also of job quality, as it offers fairer wages and participatory processes. The challenge for 2026 remains the strengthening of female representation in decision-making centers, ensuring that "cooperative intelligence" fully reflects the social base it serves.
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