Poverty among women in Europe

The Section of Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC) is currently working on an exploratory opinion on poverty among women in Europe. Although European legislation has been instrumental in getting women in many countries greater freedom, more opportunities in soc-iety, more rights and the ability to be independent, the less visible (indirect form of discrimination) still exists. The result is that women are at a greater risk of poverty than men.

During its first meeting, the study group discussed the issue of poverty in the following areas: level of poverty of women in Europe; demographic and societal context in the EU; the labour market dimension of poverty; social exclusion among women; pay gap; violence against women, in particular domestic violence, sexual harassment at the workplace and intimidation; unpaid work; pensions; longer unemployment; inherited poverty; in-work poverty; the education dimension and career choices; equality in marriage and family law; lone parenthood; teenage pregnancy; the elderly; trafficking and prostitution; immigration; undeclared work; and health.

The European Commission carried out an assessment of the National Action Plans for social inclusion that all member states submitted in July, 2003. In the Joint Report by the Commission and the Council on social inclusion dated March 5, 2004, member states were urged to give particular attention to six key priorities in their national action plans:

¤ promoting investment in and tailoring of active labour market measures to meet the needs of those who have the greatest difficulties in accessing employment;

¤ ensuring that social protection schemes are adequate and accessible for all and that they provide effective work incentives for those who can work;

¤ increasing the access of the most vulnerable and those most at risk of social exclusion to decent housing, quality health and lifelong learning opportunities;

¤ implementing a concerted effort to prevent early school leaving and to promote smooth transition from school to work;

¤ developing a focus on eliminating poverty and social exclusion among children; and

¤ making a drive to reduce poverty and social exclusion of immigrants and ethnic minorities.

However there is a very important omission, the identification and monitoring of gender specific indicators which should be included, otherwise women's poverty and the inequalities they suffer will still remain invisible to policy makers.