[Brussels, 13 March 2015]
Last Friday, March 5th, the European Commission published its annual report on equality between women and men. The report highlights some of the progress made on the issue of equality, but shows that there is still much work to be done.
- Gender gaps in employment and decision-making have narrowed in recent years, but women still account for less than a quarter of company board members, despite representing almost half of the employed workforce (46 %). Also, the extent of gender equality varies substantially across Member States and has not reached all groups. Deficient work-life balance policies hamper women’s employment and therefore the potential for economic growth.
- The EU has issued country-specific recommendations and used co-funding opportunities with the European Structural and Investment Funds to promote female employment, investment in early childhood education and care facilities, accessible long-term care and the reduction of tax-benefit disincentives for women to work. (See 2014 Report on equality between women and men, chapter 1)
- On average, across the economy, for every euro men get paid in the EU, women get paid only 84 cents.
- To raise public awareness of the size and persistence of the gender pay gap, the Commission has since 2012 organised a European Equal Pay Day. In 2014, it provided funding (EUR 2.5 million) for eight transnational projects aimed at understanding and reducing the gap.
From the European Commission’s press release:
“Europe cannot afford to underuse the potential of 50 percent of its population. Even though equal chances for women and men are more than ever becoming a reality, there is still a long way to go. For every euro a man earns in Europe, a woman still earns only 84 cents. Women are still underrepresented in leadership both in business and in politics. And worst of all, one in three women has experienced physical and sexual violence. This is unacceptable. I am committed to addressing these challenges and to achieve tangible results.” said Vĕra Jourová, EU Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality.
