Key dates
21 Sept. 2010
Adoption of the Strategy on equality between women and men 2010-2015
15 June 2010
Opening of the European Institute for Gender Equality
1 Dec. 2009
Entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon
The Treaty of Lisbon contains important institutional innovations that impact on EU Justice relations with third countries.
1 Mar. 2006
Roadmap for equality between women and men 2006 - 2010
10 Nov. 2005
Catherine Day is the first female secretary general of the European Commission.
20 Dec. 2000
5th Action Programme on Gender Equality (2001 - 2005)
7 June 2000
Framework Strategy for equality between women and men
Framework Strategy for equality between women and men 
[290 KB]
5 Oct. 1999
Fidelma Macken is the first female judge of the European Court of Justice.
1 May 1999
The Treaty of Amsterdam came into force
It establishes a binding legal basis for the strategy Gender Mainstreaming at EU level.
21 Feb. 1996
Commission's communication on gender mainstreaming
6 Jan. 1989
Christiane Scrivener and Vasso Papandreou are the first female EU Commissioners.
1 July 1981
Margaret Thatcher is the first female President-in-Office of the European Council.
17 July 1979
Simone Veil becomes the first woman elected President of the European Parliament.
10 Feb. 1975
First directive related to gender equality (equal pay directive)
1971
Helga Pederson becomes the first female judge on the European Court of Human Rights.
25 Mar . 1957
Provisions to promote equal pay for equal work or work of equal value in the Treaty of Rome
19 Mar. 1911
First International Women's Day
The International Women's Day was honoured for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.