Gender equality

Introduction

Equality between women and men is a fundamental right, a common value of the EU, and a necessary condition for the achievement of the EU objectives of growth, employment and social cohesion. Although inequalities still exist, the EU has made significant progress over the last decades in achieving equality between women and men. This is mainly thanks to equal treatment legislation, gender mainstreaming and specific measures for the advancement of women. 

Legislation

A large body of European legislative texts is dedicated to equality between women and men. This is mainly made up of various Treaty provisions and Directives concerning access to employment, equal pay, maternity protection, parental leave, social security and occupational social security, the burden of proof in discrimination cases and self-employment. The case-law of the European Court of Justice is another key element. 

Gender roadmap

The EU's roadmap for equality between women and men sets out the priorities for the period 2006-2010.  It combines specific initiatives and the integration of equality between women and men into all EU policies and activities ("gender mainstreaming"). 

Situation of women and men in the EU

So how is the situation when it comes to equality between women and men in the EU? Progress is measured every year and presented in a Report on Equality between women and men. Some examples:

• The employment rate of women increases but remains lower than men's, although women represent a majority of students and university graduates.
• Women continue to earn on average 17.4% less than men for every hour worked and this figure remains stable.
• Women are still very under-represented in economic and political decision-making positions, although their share has increased over the last decade.
• The division of family responsibilities is still very unequal between women and men.
• The risk of poverty is higher for women than for men.
• Women are the main victims of gender-based violence and women and girls are more vulnerable to trafficking of human beings. 

EU funding

PROGRESS (2007-2013) is a financial programme for supporting the effective implementation of the principle of gender equality and promoting gender mainstreaming in all EU policies. The European Social Fund also promotes equality between women and men. 

EU Gender Institute

The European Institute for Gender Equality shall provide expertise, improve knowledge and raise visibility of equality between men and women.

EU network of women in decision-making

The European Commission's network of women in decision-making in politics and the economy was launched in June 2008. The network provides a platform at EU level for exchange of good practices and successful strategies to improve gender balance in decision-making positions.

The Advisory Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men

The Advisory Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men assists the Commission in formulating and implementing the EU activities aimed at promoting equality between women and men. The Committee fosters ongoing exchanges of experiences, policies and practices between Member States and the various parties involved. To achieve these aims the Committee delivers opinions to the Commission on issues of relevance to the promotion of gender equality in the EU. It comprises representatives of Member States, social partners at EU level and NGOs. 

The Committee was created in 1981 by Commission Decision 82/43/EEC.