WUNRN
Women’s rights/Equal opportunities - 24-02-2009
Gender
equality: where do we stand?
In the last
30 years the European Union has striven to seek gender equality in all aspects
of its work. As a result many tangible changes over equal working conditions,
discrimination and violence. To date campaigns have been varied and included
the help of NGOs and charities.
EP legislation: Equality at work
Since the 1970s the EU has used legislative powers to
push for equal pay. MEPs amended equal pay legislation in 1999 and have
reviewed it every 2 years from 2002.
In 2006 the number of female managers in the European Union
was 32.6%. There was also a rise in the number of women MEPs from 19%
in 1979 to 31% in 2009. However, there is still a pay gap. Women in
Condemning violence
against women
It is estimated that around a quarter of all women in
The Parliament
unites against forced prostitution
In 2006 before the football World Cup, the committee on
gender rights and female equality (FEMM) launched the campaign, "Red Card
to Forced Prostitution". The scheme has been reused at other sporting
events such as the Euro 2008 football championship.
The Chair of Parliament's Women's Rights Committee Anna
Záborská (EPP-ED) said, "this so-called 'Red Card to Forced Prostitution'
campaign was a great success because it contributed positively towards reducing
trafficking and forced prostitution during the championship games."
Creating greater
visibility of equality issues
In 2006 the European Institute for Gender Equality was
created in
As well as the measures mentioned above, the Parliament
also draws attention to specific issues with its own initiative reports from
Members which can become valuable tools for raising awareness.
Future issues at
the Parliament
REF.
: 20090223STO50152
================================================================
To contact the list administrator, or to leave the list, send an email to: wunrn_listserve-request@lists.wunrn.com.
Thank you.