WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1254/97 by Susan WADDINGTON to the Commission. Main streaming of equal opportunities into all Community policies
Date: 1997-04-08
Institutions: European Parliament, WADDINGTON
Subjects: EU employment policy, EU publication, European Commission, action programme, equal treatment, exchange of information, gender equality

C 45/20

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

10. 2. 98

Seed production qualifies for special aid under the market organisation in seed.

The Commission is looking at the question of combining the compensatory payment with aid for seed production
while at the same time taking into account the possible effects of such a measure on the seed market and on the
rice market in general.

(98/C 45/24)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1254/97

by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission

(8 April 1997)

Subject: Main streaming of equal opportunities into all Community policies

In view of the Commission(cid:146)s policy on the main streaming of equal opportunities into all Community policies (1),
particularly  personnel  policy,  what  incentives  is  the  Commission  giving  to  individual  directorates-general  to
encourage the implementation of the policy, given that throughout the Commission services there have been both
positive and negative reactions to the policy? How does the Commission intend to ensure that all directives take
the policy on board with equal vigour?

(1)  Commission  Communication  (cid:146)Incorporating  equal  opportunities  for  women  and  men  into  all  Community  policies  and  activities(cid:146),

COM(96) 67 final 21.2.1996.

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(3 June 1997)

Following  the  Commission  communication  (cid:145)Incorporating  equal  opportunities  for  women  and  men  into  all
Community  policies  and  activities(cid:146),  a  strategy  paper  (cid:145)Mainstreaming  of  a  gender  and  equal  opportunities
perspective  into  all  Community  policies(cid:146)  has  received  the  support  of  the  group  of  commissioners  on  equal
opportunities and foresees:

›  designations of mainstreaming officials in each directorate general,

›  specific training for personnel,

›  preparation of guidelines and tools for gender impact assessment,

›  allocation of human and financial resources, where and when necessary.

The  designation  of  officials  is  practically  accomplished  and  a  first  internal  information  seminar  on
mainstreaming strategies has taken place. The group of mainstreaming officials will soon initiate its work on the
development of guidelines for gender mainstreaming adapted to specific needs of different policy areas.

The strategy document foresees an internal monitoring system and periodic reporting. However, the Commission
is  aware  of  the  fact  that  gender  mainstreaming  is  a  long-term  process  requiring  changes  in  mentalities  and
working methods. Real progress needs time and special efforts by all involved on policy making. Actions for
encouragement and information on the gender dimension of Community policies will be continued as long as
necessary.

As  for  internal  personnel  policies,  the  Commission  has  recently  adopted  a  third  action  programme  for  equal
opportunities  (1997-2000)  for  its  staff,  which  aims  to  mainstream  the  gender  dimension  in  human  resources
management and to lead to positive action, namely in recruitment. The measures foreseen within the framework
of this programme should contribute positively to the advancement of the mainstreaming strategy.