Discussie over jeugdwerkloosheid en vrouwen in bestuursraden domineerden EPSO-raadsvergadering (en)

Many viewpoints were brought to the table at the EPSCO i Council meeting 17 February, where the EU Ministers for Employment and Gender Equality discussed how to combat unemployment in the EU and how to increase the number of women on company boards.

The fight against unemployment is prioritised highly in all European countries. This became evident from the debate at the EPSCO council, were the ministers for employment discussed how to handle the challenges. Especially the high youth unemployment was emphasised.

Danish Minister for Employment Mette Frederiksen:

“Way too many young Europeans begin their adult lives in unemployment. This makes it necessary for us to take action, unless we want to risk losing an entire generation. The council debate shows that all member nations take this challenge very seriously and focus on combating the high youth unemployment. There is no one-size-fits all, but we can undoubtedly learn from one another, and I think this has become evident from today’s debate.”

The Danish Presidency will now summarise the most important conclusions from the council deliberation. The conclusions will be integrated in a synthesis report, which will function as the basis for the debate that the heads of state and governments will have on growth and employment at the Meeting of the European Council on 1-2 March.

Today the Minister for Gender Equality encouraged his fellow European ministers to take part in a discussion on how to solve the problem of women’s underrepresentation on company boards with a view to gather European experiences and to discuss future actions at Union and membership levels. Manu Sareen was pleased with the debate, which showed that there are many ways to promote women on boards.

Danish Minister for Gender Equality and Ecclesiastical Affairs Manu Sareen:

“I am very pleased that it was conclusively established at the meeting that we all agree that the underrepresentation of women on company boards is a problem. We all agree that it is a challenge we have to find a solution to. We must utilise all talents available. This does not only benefit the individual, but also the companies. At the meeting, many good ideas as to how to increase the number of women on company boards were presented. I will draw on these ideas in my futher work with this issue."

Last year Commissioner Viviane Reding i launched the “Women on the Board Pledge for Europe” for companies to sign voluntarily. In March 2012, the Commission will assess the progress made in this field since last year. The debate at the EPSCO Council will feed in to the finalisation of the assessment by the Commission.

Contact

Regarding women on company boards

Press coordinator Bodil Liv Holm, Ministry for Gender Equality and Ecclesiastical Affairs

Tel: + 45 22 68 85 69, email bolh@km.dk

Head of Section Theis Bødker Jensen, Ministry for Gender Equality and Ecclesiastical Affairs

Tel: +45 22 68 85 63

Regarding Europe 2020

Head of unit Lone Henriksen, Ministry of Employment

Tel: +45 72 20 51 10, email lhe@bm.dk

Press coordinator Jesper Tidemann Nielsen, Ministry of Employment

Tel: +45 22 56 53 38