Hearing on roadmap for gender equality

In the framework of the European Parliament Report on the Commission Roadmap for Gender Equality, the Parliamentary Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality held a hearing on October 4.

The participants were three representatives of the Commission, Mr Nieto from DG Freedom, Security and Justice: Fundamental Rights, Ms Bankier for legal issues on the directives of equal treatment, Mr Waterschoot for the Employment Strategy, Ingrid Pelssers, a representative of the Flemish government in charge of equal opportunities, and the EESC rapporteur on the Roadmap, Grace Attard.

Amalie Santori MEP, spoke about the need for a Charter on Women's Rights at EU level. Violence and gender equality should be regarded as a human rights issue at global level. Strengthening policies on poverty among women should be a priority.

Ms Sartori listed a number of areas in connection with Community legislation that need to be further addressed and improved, in particular to ensure economic independence for women and men, work/life balance and increasing the participation rate of women in decision-making.

Ms Bankier spoke about legal issues on the directives of equal treatment. Formal consultations with social partners is envisaged to include reorganisation of working time, protection of pregnant women/maternity/health and parental leave which so far are determined by member states.

Adoption leave, paternity leave and leave for care of dependent relatives were also highlighted. Other points addressed were reviewing directives on self-employed women.

Ms Pelssers spoke on issues relating to multiple forms of discrimination, including migrant women, older women and persons with disability. Mr Nieto spoke about areas covered by Daphne II programme 2004-2008, highlighting initiatives regarding protection, research and collection of data on violence against women, young people and children.

Ms Attard spoke on the need to address the pay gap: reviewing job evaluation systems; segregation and work patterns. The need to review and enforce targets on women in decision-making was also pointed out as well as a legal framework on temporary work.

The vote in the European Parliament will take place on November 24.