Driving Forward Gender Equality in Europe

Gender Equality, one of the founding values of the EU, is not only essential from a human rights perspective, but it also makes sense from an economic viewpoint. It means equal access to resources, as well as empowerment and visibility of both women and men in all spheres of public and private life. Although progress is visible, gender gaps still persist in many areas. At the current rate of change, it is estimated that it would take more than 70 years to make equal pay a reality and almost 40 years to ensure that housework is equally shared between women and men.

To accelerate progress, active policy initiatives are needed to reduce gender-based discrimination in the workplace and beyond. In November 2013, the first Council of Europe Strategy on Gender Equality 2014-2017 was unanimously adopted, with the aim of providing policy guidance and promoting a holistic and integrated approach. At EU level, the Post 2015 Framework is underway – a strategy facing both the difficulties of recession and the need to mainstream a gender perspective in all policies and programme.  

Despite these efforts, one of the main obstacles to achieving equality between men and women continues to be gender stereotyping – a practice that can limit the development of the natural talents and abilities of men and women with negative repercussions on countries' economic development and competitiveness. Boys and girls are being placed into "pink" or "blue" boxes from early years and portrayed as such through media, in schools and in families. Girls are educated to be the carers in society, while boys are prepared for public life. Even today, despite representing almost half of the employed workforce and being more likely to have a higher education degree than men, women continue to face disadvantages on the job market. In Europe, this means that women earn 16% less per hour than men, struggle to reconcile both work and a private life, and are often in precarious employment, being under-represented in paid jobs.

This timely symposium provides an invaluable opportunity to discuss the latest developments in combating gender-based discrimination at European level. The symposium will explore how social, cultural and political obstacles can be overcome in order to implement innovative policies that will put an end to gender discrimination in the workplace and in society. Public Policy Exchange welcomes the participation of all key partners, responsible authorities and stakeholders. The Symposium will support the exchange of ideas and encourage delegates to engage in thought-provoking topical debate.