Europese Commissie wil nieuw EU-agentschap voor seksegelijkheid (en)

Met dank overgenomen van Europese Stichting tot Verbetering van de Levens- en Arbeidsomstandigheden (Eurofound) i, gepubliceerd op vrijdag 22 april 2005.

In March 2005, Vladimír Spidla i, the EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, proposed the establishment of a new European Institute for Gender Equality. It would be an independent centre of excellence at European level that collects, analyses and diffuses reliable and comparable data

On International Women s Day, 8 March 2005, Vladimír Spidla, the Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, proposed that a new European Institute for Gender Equality be set up to support EU institutions and Member States in promoting equality between women and men and combating sex discrimination. Making the announcement, Commissioner Spidla said: 'What better way to celebrate International Women s Day than to propose the creation of a specific agency dedicated to equality for women and men? Gender equality is a fundamental right under the Treaty [establishing the European Community] and a priority policy of the Union.' He continued: 'If Europe is to be competitive, it must show proof of creativity and innovation, and if women are not given the possibility to use their imagination and creativity to advantage, Europe will not achieve competitiveness. The strength of Europe therefore lies in women.'

Background

The explanatory Memorandum issued together with the proposed European Parliament and Council Regulation ( COM92005) 81 final ) establishing a European Institute for Gender Equality explains the genesis of the Institute, which may be traced back to the social policy agenda adopted at the Nice European Council in December 2000 ( EU0012288F ). This recognised a need 'to increase awareness, pool resources and exchange experience, in order to promote equality between men and women, in particular, through the establishment of a European Institute for Gender Equality' . The European Council then requested a feasibility study. The importance of setting up such an institute was subsequently highlighted at the June 2004 employment and social affairs Council of Ministers meeting ( EU0406202F ). This was reinforced at the June 2004 European Council ( EU0406204F ), which invited the European Commission to bring forward a proposal. The European Parliament also called for such an institute and commissioned its own study.

In its proposal, the Commission notes that equality between men and women is a fundamental right enshrined in the Treaty establishing the European Community and supported by 13 Directives and extensive case law. The combating of discrimination and the promotion of gender equality are key policy goals, and Community legislation and policies on equal treatment between men and women have, the Commission states, resulted in substantially reducing discrimination, particularly in the area of employment.

However, the 2004 report on equality between women and men, issued by the Commission in February 2004 ( EU0403201N ), noted that progress is 'too slow' and that enhanced efforts are necessary. Further, the gender pay gap has shown signs of increasing in a number of Member States in the last two years. Women represent 52% of the European population, and the Commission proposal states that their contribution is vital for achieving the economic and social objectives of the Lisbon strategy that was agreed at a European Council summit in Lisbon in March 2000 ( EU0004241F ).

The strategy contains concrete targets in several areas, including overall employment levels, female employment rates, and the employment of older workers. By 2010 it seeks to achieve a female employment rate of at least 60%, within an overall employment rate of 70%. The recent mid-term joint employment report ( EU0502207F ) indicates that although the employment rates for women have been improving, progress towards the target of an average 60% by 2010 has slowed, with the average rate remaining stuck at 55%. Thus, if the target is to be reached, the average increases seen in the female employment rate since 1997 must be maintained each year up until 2010.

The tasks of the new institute

Addressing these issues presents the EU with new challenges, states the Commission. It will also increase the demands at Community and Member State level for the collection and analysis of comparable and reliable data and information on gender-related issues, as well as the development of appropriate methodological tools to assist Community institutions and Member States to ensure progress and effective implementation of Community policy in this area.

The draft Regulation cites the abovementioned feasibility study, which concludes that: 'There is a clear role for a European Institute for Gender Equality to carry out some of the tasks which the existing institutions do not currently deal with, specifically in the areas of coordination, centralisation and dissemination of research data and information and the development of tools for improved integration of gender equality in all Community policies.'

The proposed Institute would work 'as closely as possible' with all Community programmes and bodies. Its tasks are as follows:

  • to collect, record, analyse and disseminate relevant objective, reliable and comparable information as regards gender equality, including results from research communicated to it by Member States, Community institutions, research centres, national equality bodies, non-governmental organisations, relevant third countries and international organisations;
  • to develop methods to improve the comparability, objectivity and reliability of data at European level by establishing criteria that will improve the consistency of information;
  • to carry out surveys on the situation in Europe as regards gender equality;
  • to publish a report on the Institute s own activities, organise meetings of experts to support research work and organise with relevant stakeholders conferences, campaigns, round tables, seminars and meetings at European level; and
  • to set up documentation resources accessible to the public.

Welcoming the proposal, the President of the Commission, José Manuel Barroso, said: 'The idea is to have a specialised body that studies the question of gender equality in a scientific manner.'

Commentary

Equality is a thread running through all EU policies and a key priority of the Union. The proposed new European Institute for Gender Equality would stimulate research and the sharing of experience and also contribute to the development of instruments designed to enhance further the integration of gender equality in all Community policies. In the words of Commissioner Spidla: 'The institute will be a strong sign of the EU s commitment to the promotion of equality.'

The new body would be a dedicated institute ensuring that gender equality receives the attention and priority it requires. It would join the existing range of specialist European agencies for other fundamental rights, such as health and safety at the workplace and environment.

The Institute should start operating 12 months after the Regulation establishing it has been adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, and it is hoped it will be up and running in 2007. It has not yet been decided where the seat of the institute will be, but Commissioner Spidla has suggested that: 'Personally, I find it would be very good to have it in one of the 10 new Member States.' It will be funded by the Commission and the proposed budget is EUR 52.5 million for 2007-13. (Beatrice Harper, IRS)

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