About: equality
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.
Europe’s excluded are falling through the cracks of healthcare
Whether it is an elderly German man who lost his job or a young boy that reached Europe fleeing war at home, Europe’s excluded are falling through the cracks of healthcare systems, writes Médecins du Monde.
Commission strives to reach 40% women in management by end of mandate
The European Commission has come up with new measures on Wednesday (19 June) to reach the target of having 40% of women in top positions by the end of its mandate in 2019.
Survey: EU citizens want equal rights for foreign residents
Despite the rise of populism in Europe, most EU citizens broadly reject the idea of national preference for employment, according to a survey carried out in five European countries. EURACTIV France reports.
Dijsselbloem: Fight tax avoidance to boost EU equality
Fighting tax avoidance should be a cornerstone of a push by EU authorities for greater equality as they seek a response to a rise in populism across the continent, the head of eurozone finance ministers said on Tuesday (6 September). VideoPromoted content
European Equality Gala 2016
Do you believe in equality for all? If your answer is yes, save the date and come to the European Equality Gala 2016 - the main fundraising party for the European Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex movement on 29 June!
Grybauskaite: Politics will stop being a men’s club if women dare to dream
It is a long path to the EU leaders' table, but if women dare to pursue their convictions in political life, politics will stop being a men's club, said Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė, one of only three women leaders in the European Council.
Breaking barriers for businesswomen: A resolution on female entrepreneurship
Despite existing equality legislation, women are massively underrepresented in business. Stronger implementation of EU directives and changes to national social policies can turn this around, writes Barbara Matera.
Women still only earn 80p for every pound a man is paid
Wednesday (4 November) marks a sad day for working women across the United Kingdom, writes Julie Girling.
New mandate for EESC ignores civil society
The EU will lose all credibility in the eyes of its citizens if it continues to appoint institutions in an unrepresentative, gender imbalanced way, argues Madi Sharma.
Irish referendum stirs up same-sex marriage debate in Germany
Conservative opposition to same-sex unions in Germany is beginning to crumble after a referendum over the weekend legalised gay marriage in ultra-Catholic Ireland. EURACTIV Germany reports.
UN: Austerity hurts services vital to gender equality
Spending cuts are hurting public and social services that give women the chance to find paid work, independence and a chance at equality, a UN report warns. VideoPromoted content
Conchita Wurst sings for equality in the European Parliament
Eurovision Song Contest winner Conchita Wurst performed in front of the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday, as part of a campaign to fight discrimination and support equal rights across the EU.
Breaking through the rising tide of conservatism in Europe
Looking at the state of public discourses and political debates in European countries today, there are indeed many reasons to be concerned with candidates feeding on fears and frustrations to win votes, write Evelyne Paradis and Michael Privot, whose organisations joined forces to push an all-out equality agenda through the EU election campaign.Gender equality – Is a quota system the best approach?
In its ‘Strategy for equality between women and men 2010-2015’, the European Commission committed itself to supporting the promotion of gender equality in the implementation of all aspects and flagship initiatives of the Europe 2020 strategy, and also to promoting female entrepreneurship and self-employment. In 2012, the discussion focused intensively on gender balance in the boards of companies, with the aim to reduce the barriers for women to access board positions and to improve corporate governance and company performance.