Gender equality - Newsroom
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03-06-2013 - Gender equality
Q&A: Report on childcare provision in the Member States and study on the gender pension gap
European Commission MEMO Brussels, 3 June 2013 1. Barcelona Targets What are the so-called 'Barcelona targets'? In March 2002 the European Council, meeting in Barcelona, agreed common targets to improve the provision of childcare in the Member States.
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03-06-2013 - Gender equality
Barcelona Objectives: childcare facilities for young children in Europe
A Commission report on the Barcelona objectives shows that most EU countries have missed the targets agreed by the European Council in 2002 for availability and accessibility of childcare services. The reports demonstrates that investment in high quality services must be continued.
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03-06-2013 - Gender equality
ENEGE Report on the gender gap in pension in the EU published
Women receive average pensions which are 39% lower compared to those of men. This report develops a new indicator for gender equality, the "Gender Pension Gap" which, together with the "Gender Pay Gap", helps to assess the magnitude of gender inequality in the course of people’s lives.
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30-05-2013 - Gender equality
Consultation on combating female genital mutilation in the EU
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24-05-2013 - Gender equality
Study on the role of men in gender equality published
The study, entitled 'The role of men in gender equality – European strategies and insights' has been published. The study presents conclusions and recommendations, as well as some guiding principles on how to develop policies to improve the role of men in gender equality.
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14-05-2013 - Gender equality
Women on Boards: Vice-President Viviane Reding and Markus Klimmer, Managing Director at Accenture discuss challenges and opportunities
European Commission MEMO Brussels, 14 May 2013 Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner, met with Markus Klimmer, Managing Director at Accenture, today to discuss how best to improve gender balance on company boards.
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13-05-2013 - Gender equality
Report on progress between women and men published
The 2012 annual report on 'Progress on equality between women and men' has just been released. Based on recent evidence and new data, it takes stock of major policy developments during the last year. The report illustrates some of the many ways in which the EU and its Member States have promoted gender equality.
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08-05-2013 - Gender equality
Q&A: Report on the Charter of Fundamental Rights and on Progress in Gender Equality
European Commission MEMO Brussels, 8 May 2013 What are fundamental rights? The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights sets out a series of individual rights and freedoms. It entrenches the rights developed in the case law of the Court of Justice of the EU, found in the European Convention on Human...
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08-05-2013 - Gender equality
EU Charter is making fundamental rights a reality for citizens
European Commission Press release Brussels, 8 May 2013 Three years after it became legally binding, the impact of the European Union’s Charter of Fundamental Rights is increasingly clear. It is becoming a point of reference not only for the EU institutions when drawing up legislation but also for the European...
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21-03-2013 - Gender equality
Business Forum: Equality Pays Off - A Europe 2020 initiative
On 21 March 2013 150 European company representatives will meet in Brussels and exchange their ideas on strategies to better access the labour force potential of women by increasing gender equality and thereby contributing to a reduction of the gender pay gap. Selected companies will showcase their activities, results and experience of tapping into the female talent pool more effectively.
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06-03-2013 - Gender equality
International Women's Day: Zero tolerance for female genital mutilation
Brussels, 06 March 2013 - European Commission calls for zero tolerance for female genital mutilation (FGM).
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01-03-2013 - Gender equality
Brochure March 2013: Tackling the gender pay gap in the EU
A new brochure explains what the gender pay gap is, its causes, and why closing it makes sense for both businesses and society in general. Key figures on equality between men and women in work are also provided, as well as information on the EU's work to tackle the pay gap and examples of national good practices.
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28-02-2013 - Gender equality
Equal Pay day:
women still earn 16.2% less than men. Equal pay is not only fair – it makes sound business sense too. Read how “Equality pays off
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19-02-2013 - Gender equality
Commission proposal to protect victims of domestic violence EU-wide will become law
European MEMO Brussels, 19 February 2013 Commission Victims of violence, in particular domestic violence, will be able to count on EU-wide protection. Today, the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers reached a political agreement on a proposal by the European Commission for an EU-wide protection order.
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06-02-2013 - Gender equality
Joint Statement on the International Day against Female Genital Mutilation
European Commission MEMO Brussels, 6 February 2013 On the occasion of the International Day of Zero Tolerance against Female Genital Mutilation (6 February 2013) High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission Catherine Ashton, Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner, Development Commissioner...
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25-01-2013 - Gender equality
Regulatory pressure gets the ball rolling: Share of women on company boards up to 15.8% in Europe
European Commission Press release Davos, 25 January 2013 Today the Commission released mid-term figures on the share of women on boards in publicly listed companies. The new figures show an increase in the number of women on boards to 15.8%, up from 13.7% in January 2012.
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20-12-2012 - Gender equality
EU rules on gender-neutral pricing in insurance industry enter into force
European Commission Press release Brussels, 20 December 2012 Brussels, 20 December 2012 – Under new rules which enter force tomorrow, insurers in Europe will have to charge the same prices to women and men for the same insurance products without distinction on the grounds of sex.
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20-12-2012 - Gender equality
EU rules on gender-neutral pricing in insurance industry enter into force
Under new rules which are entering into force, insurers in Europe will have to charge the same prices to women and men for the same insurance products without distinction on the grounds of sex.
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17-12-2012 - Gender equality
OECD's Gender Forum – Closing the Gender Gap: Act Now
The Forum was a one-day event structured around three panels. The first panel focused on the contribution of gender equality to economic growth; the second one looked at gender equality from a business angle; and the third panel debated ways to address gender stereotypes. The findings of the new OECD report were released on the day of the event.
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12-12-2012 - Gender equality
Shattering myths and glass ceilings: launch of database of 'Global Board Ready Women'
European Commission Press release Strasbourg, 12 December 2012 Today the European Business Schools Women on Boards Initiative is migrating their 'Global Board Ready Women' list of 8 000 women into an online database. The women on this list all fulfil stringent criteria for Corporate Governance as defined by publicly listed...
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04-12-2012 - Gender equality
Speech - The route to more women on supervisory boards: For an intelligent quota instead of inflexible requirements
European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission European Commissioner for Justice Speech - Federation of German Industries event at the Representation of the Land Baden-Württemberg to the European Union / Brussels 27 November 2012 Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very pleased to be able to speak to you...
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26-11-2012 - Gender equality
And yet it’s coming: a gender quota in business leadership
European Commission Ms Viviane Reding Vice-President, Member of the Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Women's Finance Forum / Hamburg 15 November 2012 Key statements: We did it: yesterday, the European Commission made gender equality history.
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24-11-2012 - Gender equality
Statement by Vice-President Reding ahead of the International Day for Eliminating Violence against Women
European Commission MEMO Brussels, 24 November 2012 Ahead of the International Day for Eliminating Violence against Women (25 November 2012), Vice-President Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner made the following statement: “Across Europe, around 1 in 5 women have suffered physical violence at least once in their lives and 1 in...
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14-11-2012 - Gender equality
A historic day for gender equality
European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner Press Conference /Brussels 14 November 2012 Today is a historic day for gender equality! After decades of empty promises and failed attempts at self-regulation, we still have an effective 85% male quota on the supervisory boards of Europe's...
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14-11-2012 - Gender equality
Women on Boards: Commission proposes 40% objective
European Commission Press release Brussels, 14 November 2012 Today the European Commission has taken action to break the glass ceiling that continues to bar female talent from top positions in Europe’s biggest companies. The Commission has proposed legislation with the aim of attaining a 40% objective of the under-represented sex...
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14-11-2012 - Gender equality
Questions and Answers: Proposal on increasing Gender Equality in the Boardrooms of Listed Companies
European Commission MEMO Brussels, 14 November 2012 Why do we need legislation to improve the gender balance on the boards of listed companies? At present, 91.1% of executive board members, 85% of non-executive board members and 96.8% of the boardroom chairs are men, while women make up 8.9%, 15% and...
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14-11-2012 - Gender equality
Women on Boards: Commission proposes 40% objective
Today the European Commission has taken action to break the glass ceiling that continues to bar female talent from top positions in Europe’s biggest companies. The Commission has proposed legislation with the aim of attaining a 40% objective of the under-represented sex in non-executive board-member positions in publicly listed companies, with the exception of small and medium enterprises. Currently, boards are dominated by one gender: 85% of non-executive board members and 91.1% of executive board members are men, while women make up 15% and 8.9% respectively.
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08-11-2012 - Gender equality
Conference on Domestic Violence against Women
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29-10-2012 - Gender equality
Conference on Tackling the Gender Pay Gap: best practices around four perspectives
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09-10-2012 - Gender equality
Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner Mapping EU action on Gender Equality: from the Treaty of Rome to Quotas Harvard Club Belgium/Brussels 8 O...
European Commission Ladies and gentlemen, To talk about women on boards is very much en vogue these days. Discussions around that theme often turn out to become passionate or ideological. That is why it might be interesting to look back and trace the origins of today’s debates.
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30-07-2012 - Gender equality
Women on Boards: Vice-President Viviane Reding meets with leaders of Europe's business schools and industry
European Commission Press release Brussels, 19 June 2012 Today, EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding met with European Industry Associations, European Business Schools and Senior Executive Women to discuss progress being made on improving the gender balance in company boardrooms.
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12-07-2012 - Gender equality
Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner The Tug-of-War over the Women Quota DLDwomen 2012/Munich 12 July 2012
European Commission How has society changed as the world is becoming more digital? – This is the central question of this year's DLD Women conference. Data is racing ever faster, we grow ever closer together. Totally connected, we live in a global village where technical standards are becoming more similar...
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06-07-2012 - Gender equality
London 2012: Reding and Vassiliou urge Olympic and Paralympic chiefs to press for better representation of women in sport
European Commission MEMO Brussels, 3 July 2012 More needs to be done to strengthen the representation of women in sport and in sport governing bodies, as well as the fight against discrimination and sexual harassment. This is the message in a letter from two leading European Commissioners to the Presidents...
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28-05-2012 - Gender equality
Consultation on Gender imbalance in corporate boards in the EU
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16-04-2012 - Gender equality
Progress in gender equality leads to economic growth
Brussels, 16 April 2012 – Improving equality between women and men is essential to the EU's response to the current economic crisis, according to the European Commission's latest annual report on gender equality. The report looks at progress over the past year in tackling the remaining gaps between women and men in employment, the economy and society in general. While some progress has been made in increasing the number of women in top jobs in business and in narrowing the gender pay gap, major challenges remain.
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13-03-2012 - Gender equality
Gender pay gap
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09-03-2012 - Gender equality
Europe this week 9 March 2012
09 March 2012 Women in Decision-Making Persistent lack of women on company boards – EU action needed to break the glass ceiling A European Commission report shows that the number of women in company boards remains at low levels.
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07-03-2012 - Gender equality
Equal Pay events taking place across the EU
The second European Equal Pay Day (EEPD) took place on 2 March 2012. This EU-wide day aims to raise awareness of the pay gap that exists between women and men in the different EU Member States and encourage action to close it.
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05-03-2012 - Gender equality
Commission weighs options to break the glass ceiling for women boards
Brussels, 5 March 2012 – A European Commission report published today shows that limited progress towards increasing the number of women on company boards has been achieved one year after EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding called for credible self-regulatory measures. Just one in seven board members at Europe's top firms is a woman (13.7%). This is a slight improvement from 11.8% in 2010. However, it would still take more than 40 years to reach a significant gender balance (at least 40% of both sexes) at this rate.
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02-03-2012 - Gender equality
New materials on the gender pay gap now available
A new web clip that highlights the absurdity of pay inequalities between women and men is among the new materials now available on this website. We invite you to forward it to your contacts to help ensure it reaches a large audience.
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17-02-2012 - Gender equality
Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner Increasing gender balance on company boards: Good for businesses and the economy Press conference after t...
Today was the first time that ministers debated at EU level how to improve the participation of women on company boards. Everyone agreed that there is a problem with women’s participation at the top level of companies. There was unanimity that we need to do something.
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22-12-2011 - Gender equality
European Commission gives guidance to Europe's insurance industry to ensure non-discrimination between women and men in insurance premiums
European Commission - Press release Brussels, 22 December 2011 – The European Commission has today adopted guidelines to help the insurance industry implement unisex pricing, after the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that different premiums ...
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01-12-2011 - Gender equality
More women in top jobs key to economic growth, says EU report
Brussels, 25 March 2010 Only one in 10 board members of Europe's biggest listed companies is a woman and all central bank governors in the EU are male. The economy would benefit by having full representation of both men and women in top positions, says a new report presented by...
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25-11-2011 - Gender equality
Learn more about gender pay gap at events across the EU
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18-10-2011 - Gender equality
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton commits to EU gender balance target
European Commission - Press release Brussels, 12 July 2011 - LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton today signed the “Women on the Board Pledge for Europe”, voluntarily committing to increase women’s corporate boardroom presence to 30% by 2015 and to 40% by 2020. At the same time, three Greek companies (G.
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18-10-2011 - Gender equality
EU Justice Commissioner Reding challenges business leaders to increase women’s presence on corporate boards with “Women on the Board Pledge for Europe”
Brussels, 1 March 2011 Following meetings today with business leaders and social partners on women in decision-making (see IP/11/242), EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding challenged publicly listed companies in Europe to sign a “Women on the Board Pledge for Europe” by March 2012.
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26-09-2011 - Gender equality
Gender Balance: Business schools are crucial to getting more women into top jobs
European Commission - Press release Brussels, 26 September 2011 - EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding today met with leaders of Europe's business schools to discuss how to improve the gender balance in company boardrooms by encouraging more young women to follow a career in business.
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19-09-2011 - Gender equality
Conference "Equality between women and men"
The Directorate-General Justice of the European Commission organised the conference "Equality between Women and Men" in Brussels on 19 and 20 September 2011.
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06-07-2011 - Gender equality
EU Justice Commissioner Reding welcomes the European Parliament’s strong support for more women in economic decision-making positions
Brussels, 5 July 2011 On the occasion of the European Parliament's vote on the report on women and business leadership, Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner, said: "It is good news that the European Parliament supports the European Commission's approach towards more women in economic decision-making positions.
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28-06-2011 - Gender equality
Prizes and equality labels to help companies close the gender pay gap
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04-05-2011 - Gender equality
"Women on the Board Pledge for Europe” signed by Guerlain and FES Consulting
Brussels, 4 May 2011 EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding announced today the first two companies which signed up to the “Women on the Board Pledge for Europe” committing to improve the gender balance in boardrooms. Guerlain – a major perfumes and cosmetics firm – and FES Consulting Empresarial – a...
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28-03-2011 - Gender equality
Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner The European Commission's New Gender Equality Strategy: Towards Quotas for Women in the boardroom? Europe...
Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a pleasure to be here in Frankfurt today. I would like to thank the ECB's Vice-President and in particular my friend Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell for the invitation. The topic of your conference "Building on Diversity: how to master Europe's challenges" could not be more timely! Let...
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14-03-2011 - Gender equality
Equality: Commission drops three cases against Poland following new anti-discrimination law
Brussels, 14 March 2011 The European Commission has closed three separate infringement procedures against Poland covering different aspects of EU equality legislation. The Commission successfully concluded the cases after Poland adopted a new anti-discrimination law.
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09-03-2011 - Gender equality
Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day Press Conference EP Ple...
This is real gender equality in action: two men – the President of the European Parliament and the President of the European Commission – and two women – the Chair of the FEMJM Committee and the Vice-President of the European Commission – mark together the 100th anniversary of International Women's...
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08-03-2011 - Gender equality
Joint Statement by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-president of the European Commission Catherine Ashton and European Commission Vice-President Vivian...
Strasbourg, 8 March 2011 "Today we celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. For the past century, this important occasion has marked the economic, social, political and cultural achievements of women around the world. Women have struggled throughout history for more rights and greater freedom of choice and liberty.
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07-03-2011 - Gender equality
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council
The Council of EU Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Ministers will meet on 7 March in Brussels. The European Commission will be represented by László Andor, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, and Vice-President Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Justice. This Council also prepares the Spring European Council later in March.
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05-03-2011 - Gender equality
First European Equal Pay Day - 5 March 2011
To raise awareness of the existence of the gender pay gap, the European Commission is launching a European Equal Pay Day (EEPD) which will become an annual event across Europe. As it develops the EEPD will provide a focus for activities to raise awareness of the gender pay gap and the need to take action to close it.
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04-03-2011 - Gender equality
First European Equal Pay Day highlights EU earnings gap
Brussels, 4 March 2011 Women in the European Union earn on average 17.5% less than men during their lifetimes. This stark figure will be highlighted tomorrow during the first EU-wide Equal Pay Day. This day – 5 March – marks the extra number of days in 2011 that women must...
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01-03-2011 - Gender equality
EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding meets European business leaders to push for more women in boardrooms
Brussels, 1 March 2011 Corporate Europe is still a man's world: just one in 10 board members at Europe's biggest companies are women and in 97% of cases the board is chaired by a man. Studies show that businesses with more women at the top outperform “men only” companies.
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01-03-2011 - Gender equality
Sex Discrimination in Insurance Contracts: Statement by European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU’s Justice Commissioner, on the European Court of Justice's ruling in th...
Brussels, 1 March 2011 The Court of Justice of the European Union today delivered its ruling in the Test-Achats case (C-236/09) concerning sex discrimination in insurance premiums. Commenting on the judgement, EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding (who is in charge of gender equality at the European Commission) said: "Today is...
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01-03-2011 - Gender equality
Commissioner Reding meets European business leaders
On the basis of new figures published today, the Commission will have an exchange of views with companies and social partners to see what measures they have taken and intend to take in the near future to improve the gender balance in board rooms. Over the next 12 months, the Commission will closely monitor progress. After that period, the Commission will assess whether further measures are required.
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06-02-2011 - Gender equality
Joint Statement of High Representative Catherine Ashton and European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding on the International Day against Female Genital Mutilation
Brussels, 6 February 2011 "6 February marks the International Day against Female Genital Mutilation. This is an opportunity to remind the world that the European Union condemns this abhorrent practice that severely violates the human rights and dignity of hundreds of thousands women and girls.
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26-11-2010 - Gender equality
Gender Equality: Commission welcomes compliance with EU sex discrimination rules in Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia; closes infringement cases
Brussels, 24 November 2010 The European Commission has welcomed the notification by Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia of measures to implement EU rules prohibiting discrimination in employment and occupation on the grounds of sex (Directive 2006/54/EC, see MEMO/08/742).
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23-11-2010 - Gender equality
Viviane Reding Vice-President of the Commission, responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Making equality between women and men a reality – the march goes on The Euro...
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very pleased to be here with you today at the European Institute for Gender Equality. It is a great moment for me to finally be able to visit the Institute and address this conference. As you know, the idea for a gender institute goes back...
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21-10-2010 - Gender equality
Paid Maternity Leave: European Commission to work on balanced compromise to advance mothers’ rights, following European Parliament vote
Strasbourg, 20 October 2010 In a first reading, the European Parliament voted today on the European Commission's proposal to reform the 1992 Maternity Leave Directive (Directive 92/85/EEC). The Commission had proposed an increase in the minimum period of maternity leave from 14 to 18 weeks and to pay women 100%...
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21-09-2010 - Gender equality
New strategy on gender equality
The Commission adopted a five-year strategy for promoting equality between women and men in Europe. The strategy aims in particular to make better use of women's potential, thereby contributing to the EU's overall economic and social goals.
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05-05-2010 - Gender equality
Promotion for Gender Equality at the Workplace
On May 5 2010 the results of a European study - commissioned by DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities - investigating initiatives such as prizes, awards, labels, charters, rankings etc. targeted at promoting gender equality in businesses and organisations were presented.
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10-03-2010 - Gender equality
Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Women's Charter: Our Commitment to Gender Equality Joint Press Confere...
Ladies and gentlemen, for me this is an important moment. For several reasons: first, it is the first time that I come to this press room in my new role as Vice-President of the European Commission second, I was in New York on Monday to participate in the United Nations...
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05-03-2010 - Gender equality
José Manuel Durão Barroso President of the European Commission Women's Charter: our commitment to gender equality Joint press conference with VP Reding Brussels, 5 March 2010
SPEECH/ 10/71 Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, Last September, I announced in the European Parliament the preparation of a Women's Charter, to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, and to express this Commission's commitment to gender equality.
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05-03-2010 - Gender equality
European Commission strengthens its commitment to equality between women and men
Brussels, 5 March 2010 Ahead of International Women's Day, the European Commission strengthened and deepened its commitment to equality between women and men with a Women's Charter. This political declaration sets out five key areas for action and commits the Commission to building a gender perspective into all its policies...
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05-03-2010 - Gender equality
European Commission aims to significantly reduce the gender pay gap
Brussels, 5 March 2010 The European Commission plans to use a series of measures aimed at sig nificantly reducing the pay gap between men and women over the next five years. The average gender pay gap in the EU currently stands at 18%.
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05-03-2010 - Gender equality
Tackling the gender pay gap – Frequently Asked Questions
Brussels, 5 March 2010 Why do we need to tackle the gender pay gap? At 18% across Europe, the gender pay gap remains intolerably high and stubborn. Equal pay for equal work is one of the European Union’s founding principles.
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16-12-2009 - Gender equality
European Institute for Gender Equality opens
The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) opened its doors in Vilnius on 16 December 2009. The EIGE's Management Board, the Institute's decision-making body, also held its last official meeting of 2009 in Vilnius. On 17 December, stakeholders, NGOs and members of the general public interested in the EIGE's activities met the EIGE's Management Board.
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03-03-2009 - Gender equality
EU launches campaign to tackle gender pay gap
The European Commission has launched an EU-wide campaign to help tackle the gender pay gap. Across the EU economy, women earn on average 17.4% less than men. The simple concept of 'equal pay for work of equal value' is at the heart of the campaign being launched in the context of International Women's Day on 8 March to raise awareness of the pay gap, its causes, and how to tackle it.
