European Parliamentary Committee on Rights and Equal Opportunities

During the European Parliamentary Committee on Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities on December 19, Tuula Haatainen, Minister of Social Affairs and Health, gave a review of the gender initiatives carried out during the outgoing Finnish Council Presidency.

The eradication of violence against women (under the Daphne III programme) trafficking of human beings, strengthening the role of women in business and the gender pay gap are among the priorities which will be followed during the first half of 2007 under the German Presidency.

The Finnish Minister also highlighted the need to tackle gender issues not only from the aspect of work-life balance but also from the men's perspective. Men have much to give and to gain from gender equality policies.

Vladimir Spidla, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, addressed the meeting on the need to make the future of the population of Europe (demographic change) more visible in all policies in line also with the Lisbon Agenda. The discussion focused on conciliation policies on work-life balance, immigration policies, minority groups (including the Roma population), education and training and the future of our children.

Mr Spidla also stated that agreement has been reached between Council and Parliament on the Regulations of the European Institute for Gender Equality which will be set up in Lithuania in 2007. The institute's aim is to be forward-looking in dealing with gender equality in an integrated manner, by awareness-raising campaigns, providing high quality service on information, sharing of best practices and assistance to the 27 EU member states (including Romania and Bulgaria).

Commissioner Spidla also spoke about a new initiative of the Commission - a Network of Gender Equality Bodies of the EU member states constituted with the aim of working together to develop harmonisation of legislation, development of policies and better implementation of equality rights.

The committee also submitted a number of proposals in response to the Commission's Communication on "Promoting Decent Work for All". These include the need to improve transparency of labour markets so that all kinds of work (temporary, permanent, part-time, full-time, paid-by-the-hour) are official. Special attention needs to be paid to the employment of women with regards to regulations that are not being complied with and the need for suitable indicators for revealing gender inequalities such as pay differentials.

The Roadmap for Equality between Women and Men 2006-2010 will be adopted by the Committee in January, followed by a vote in Parliament.