About: equality

Commissioner Dalli: Eurovision ‘undisputed element’ of European shared cultural identity
Artistic events bring people together, overcoming divisions and barriers, and as such, the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) is an "undisputed element" of the European shared cultural identity, which could this year help renew the call for peace on the continent, according to Maltese EU Commissioner Helena Dalli.
Why women have to fight for positions on boards and what will Macron face in France?
This week in our Beyond the Byline podcast we are focusing on how companies are implementing initiatives to boost gender equality on corporate boards and in decision-making positions. Listen to our special guest Hedwige Nuyens, chair of European Women on...OpinionPromoted content

The Gender Factor: More Women in ICT will Enable the EU to Reach the 2030 Digital Decade Targets
Reaching the Digital Decade targets requires more ICT specialists in Europe – specifically more women in tech. Eroding structural barriers and leveraging new technologies enable organisations to attract and retain highly skilled talent needed to make European companies competitive and future-proof.
Law and industry action crucial for media representation, say stakeholders
Action to improve diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the European media and audiovisual sector needs to come from all, not just a select few, of the stakeholders involved, the EU’s first Anti-Racism Coordinator has said.
EU has a long way to go on diversity in the media sector, lawmaker says
When it comes to progress on diversity and inclusion (D&I) both on and off-screen, MEP Evin Incir told EURACTIV, the EU has a long way to go before its words, contained in a number of strategies and action plans, turn into action.
European firms make slow progress in appointing more women to boards
The proportion of women in leading positions at major European companies rose last year, but fell behind schedule to reach the European Commission's proposed target of 40% for 2025, a study by an EU-sponsored non-profit organisation showed on Thursday (19 January).
EU’s von der Leyen in new push for women’s quota on company boards
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will make a new push at boosting women's representation on companies' boards, trying to unblock legislation for a women's quota which has been stuck since 2012.
Equality bodies need more support to help all victims of discrimination
Equality bodies in Belgium are effective agents of change and have supported many people; yet, discrimination victims struggle to access consistent support due to limited capacities and the lack of a proper regulatory framework.OpinionPromoted content

“The Future is in our hands: Our chance to shape the Conference on the Future of Europe” Opinion by Xabier Macias, President of Coppieters Foundation
Social movements and minority groups are at the periphery of the centres of power. The Conference on The Future of Europe offers a slim chance for those voices to be heard. We want to see Europe promoting greater social cohesion, women’s rights, climate justice, counter racism and the right to decide.
Lack of commitment from EU countries curbs equality efforts across the bloc
European anti-discrimination strategies risk being “empty policies” unless national governments step up their game, civil society representatives have warned.
Experts call for enhanced efforts to mainstream equality
Member states must take more concrete and legally binding steps to ensure equality in public and private institutions, and policy-making, according to experts at the recent Conference on Promoting Equality Mainstreaming on Friday 19 November.
EU anti-racism action plan aligns well with UN report on racial justice
The EU Anti-racism Action Plan dovetails with the United Nations’ report on racial justice, according to experts. Yet, what is still needed is an integrated approach on how to put them into practice without national governments evading accountability.
Discrimination in Europe remains present, but under-reported
Discrimination based on ethnic origin remains a problem across Europe, and even more so as many people are not aware of how widespread it is, a recent study conducted by Young European Federalists (JEF) in three EU countries has shown
9 in 10 hate crimes go unreported, EU fundamental rights agency finds
Up to 9 in 10 hate crimes and attacks in the EU still go unreported because victims face difficulty reporting them, do not trust the police and believe that nothing would change if they report it, according to a new study by the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency.
Spain approves plan to support working mothers
The Spanish government has approved the first phase of a €200-million plan aimed at helping working mothers reconcile employment and family commitments, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Dalli: ‘There is structural racism also inside the Commission’
Helena Dalli is the first European Commissioner for Equality, an issue to which she dedicated a big part of her life. In an interview with EURACTIV, she said that racism is “alive” in Europe, and called for "thinking 'out of the box'" to address the structural biases inside the Commission.
Gabriel: Women ‘continue to face obstacles’ in tech sector
Tech firms in Europe are 'losing out' on a wide range of talent and diversity due to their reluctance to hire women across all levels of management, the EU Commissioner for Innovation and Research, Mariya Gabriel has said.
Jourova: Excluding women from top companies’ boards is economically stupid
While the European Commission has just presented its Gender Equality Strategy, European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová insisted in an interview with EURACTIV France that the fight against stereotypes and violence against women must continue.
Commissioner hearings LIVE: Reynders/Dalli/Ferreira
On Wednesday (2 October), the European Parliament's committees will be holding hearings with Commissioner-designates Didier Reynders (Belgium, Justice), Helena Dalli (Malta, Equality) and Elisa Ferreira (Portugal, Cohesion and Reforms).
Von der Leyen leans on gender balance in quest for Commission presidency
In her first speech before the European Parliament on Tuesday (16 July), Ursula von der Leyen made gender equality a cornerstone of her case to be appointed as the first female European Commission president. And she received support for that from across the political spectrum.
Time to adopt the Equal Treatment Directive
According to a 2015 Eurobarometer survey, around 12% of people in Europe consider themselves at risk of discrimination. In fact, any person in Europe could potentially fall victim to this injustice, write Birgit Van Hout and Tena Šimonović Einwalter.
Europe fair, but room for improvement- Eurobarometer
Europeans generally see their society as fair, particularly in Scandinavia, but income gap, which has increased greatly, was singled out as an issue of concern, according to a Eurobarometer survey. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Andriukaitis: National health systems need ‘fundamental reform’
EU countries could save money and lives by increasing investment in disease prevention and health promotion, the European Commission said on Thursday (23 November), stressing that good health policy requires political will across all sectors.