WUNRN
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=WQ&reference=E-2015-000425&language=EN
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European Parliamentary - Question |
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14 January 2015 |
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Question for written answer |
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Gender
integration is an integral part of the Commission’s policymaking, including
via impact assessments and evaluation processes. There have been some
encouraging recent trends. However, inequalities between men and women remain
in many areas, violating fundamental rights, imposing a heavy toll on the
economy, and resulting in underutilisation of talent. In order
to achieve the objectives of Europa 2020, namely smart, sustainable and
inclusive growth, the potential and the talent pool of women need to be used
more extensively and more efficiently, with economic and business benefits to
be gained. Through all relevant policies under its external action,
the EU can exercise significant influence in fostering gender equality
and women’s empowerment worldwide. Does the
Commission think that, for speedier achievement of the Millennium Development
Goals and to help to attain the standards set by the EU Plan of Action
on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Development (2010-2015), it
would be appropriate for all trade agreements to include an assessment of
their impact on women? |
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Subject: EU Trade Agreements
and Assessing Their Impact on Women
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Parliamentary Questions |
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5 March 2015 |
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Answer given by Mr Mimica on behalf of the European
Commission |
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The
Commission's impact assessment system foresees the assessment of fundamental
rights for all legislative proposals, and for non-legislative initiatives,
including trade measures, when there are significant impacts. Furthermore, as
part of the strategy for the effective implementation of the Charter of
Fundamental Rights, specific ‘Operational Guidance’ on taking account of
Fundamental Rights in Commission Impact Assessments were adopted in
May 2011. In this framework, women’s rights are an integral part of the
fundamental rights assessed. The impact
on gender equality of a trade agreement is systematically analysed in the
impact assessments conducted in support of a proposal to launch a
negotiation. The impact on social and human rights — including on gender
equality and non‐discrimination — is then analysed in more depth in
the Sustainability Impact Assessment conducted during the trade negotiation. Moreover,
the Commission has adopted a rights-based approach, encompassing all human
rights, in all its development activities. This means that the design of all
development assistance including trade related assistance will aim at
improving its impact on human rights, including women’s rights. |
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