Gender equality report 2005 shows advances, but inequality
remains
Brussels 14/02/2005. The 2005 gender equality report, which is
available today, shows that while gender employment and education
gaps are closing in the EU, the gender pay gap has remained almost
unchanged. The report, compiled by the European Commission, provides
an annual insight into gender equality in the EU.
It highlights that reconciling work and family life remains a
problem for many women. Women with children have lower employment
rates than those without. The majority of domestic work in the home
is still carried out by women. A lack of affordable childcare
remains an obstacle to equality.
Women's lower participation in the labour market means that their
pension entitlements are significantly lower than men's. And gaps
between older men and women are more acute, with elderly women more
at risk of poverty than men.
Increased integration of women into the workforce will release
the productive potential of the EU and increase social cohesion, in
line with the Lisbon strategy. EU legislation has already advanced
equal treatment, in particular through its new Directive on equal
treatment of men and women in the provision of goods and services.
| 
