About: equality

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.

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.

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).

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.