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BackVladimir Špidla, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, announced during a discussion at the Women’s Committee of the European Parliament that work had begun to create a new strategic framework to promote the gender equality of women and men. This will replace the current Roadmap for equality between women and men (2006 - 2010). The Commission is currently in the process of preparing an impact assessment as well as an analysis of the existing plan.
In 2006, the Commission set itself six priority areas when the Gender Equality Strategy was adopted: equal economic independence for women and men, the reconciliation of private and professional life, equal representation in decision-making, the eradication of all forms of gender-based violence, the elimination of gender stereotypes and the promotion of gender equality in external and development policies. Špidla pointed out that all priority areas were more relevant than ever and that there was still a long way to go. Over the past years, the Commission had tried hard to boost support for gender equality. Špidla explained that setting up the European Institute for Gender Equality in Vilnius was a success. However, he had to admit that the institute is not yet operatively active - only the premises would exist. A work programme had yet to be devised. Not exactly what one would call a success.
The income gap between men and women is and still remains a bitter reality. The Commission has launched several campaigns to counteract this state of affairs, unfortunately with little success. The figures speak for themselves. In Austria, men on average earn still 25 % more than women. “This is not acceptable” is a statement also made by Commissioner Špidla. After all, the right to “equal pay” had been in place since 1957 already and is a basic right of the EU. The Commission is visibly at a loss.
Špidla claims the new initiatives over the past years by the Commission regarding the reconciliation of private and professional life as his success. His critics, however, see that differently. The currently negotiated Directive on Maternity Protection is a good example. The Commission plans to extend the maternity leave from 14 to 18 weeks. No master stroke if one considers that 24 of the 27 Member States are already granting 18 weeks maternity leave. The Parliament proved to be more courageous and demanded 20 weeks.
The strategic framework for gender equality is important for highlighting the problem fields. However, the Commission has to make real efforts, also of a legal nature, in order not to lose sight of the subject of the equality between women and men, in particular in times of the economic crisis.
Further information:
Roadmap for equality between women and men (2006-2010)
The income gap between men and women is and still remains a bitter reality. The Commission has launched several campaigns to counteract this state of affairs, unfortunately with little success. The figures speak for themselves. In Austria, men on average earn still 25 % more than women. “This is not acceptable” is a statement also made by Commissioner Špidla. After all, the right to “equal pay” had been in place since 1957 already and is a basic right of the EU. The Commission is visibly at a loss.
Špidla claims the new initiatives over the past years by the Commission regarding the reconciliation of private and professional life as his success. His critics, however, see that differently. The currently negotiated Directive on Maternity Protection is a good example. The Commission plans to extend the maternity leave from 14 to 18 weeks. No master stroke if one considers that 24 of the 27 Member States are already granting 18 weeks maternity leave. The Parliament proved to be more courageous and demanded 20 weeks.
The strategic framework for gender equality is important for highlighting the problem fields. However, the Commission has to make real efforts, also of a legal nature, in order not to lose sight of the subject of the equality between women and men, in particular in times of the economic crisis.
Further information:
Roadmap for equality between women and men (2006-2010)