WRITTEN QUESTION E-1386/00 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Expiry of the NOW Programme.
Date: 2000-05-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, equal treatment, gender equality, job access, vocational training

13.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 46 E/185

Finally, within the Commission, awareness raising training on gender equality is offered to civil servants to
support the Commission(cid:146)s active gender equality policy in decision-making positions. The Commission will
shortly adopt a decision on gender balance in the committees and expert groups established to advise it.

(1) OJ L 335, 30.12.1995.
(2)

[Due for adoption by the Commission on 30 May].

(2001/C 46 E/216)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1385/00

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 May 2000)

Subject: Education and training as a means of preventing inequality between women and men

The old saying (cid:145)prevention is better than cure(cid:146) has successfully stood the test of time. Since much remains
to be done to bring about the equality of women and men in many working environments, particularly in
management posts, and this is due, according to scientific surveys, primarily to a lack of training among
women, will the Commission state whether, as part of the new EQUAL Programme, it intends to devote
special attention to educational and training measures in favour of women so as to remedy this situation at
the earliest opportunity?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(23 June 2000)

The guidelines for EQUAL have taken into account the training deficit of women,
in particular by
requiring the Member States to include in their programme proposals (cid:145)a description of the actions and
methods planned to implement the gender mainstreaming approach effectively(cid:146) (§ 61) (1).

In addition, the guidelines specify that one of the thematic fields serving as a basis for the first call for
proposals will be (cid:145)promoting lifelong learning and inclusive work practices which encourage the recruit-
ment and retention of those suffering discrimination and inequalities in connection with the labour market(cid:146)
(§ 16).

(1) OJ C 127, 5.5.2000.

(2001/C 46 E/217)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1386/00

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 May 2000)

Subject: Expiry of the NOW Programme

From 1994 to 1999 the NOW Programme was a key instrument for promoting the interests of women in
the employment sector and it basically supported training and labour market integration projects.

The new Structural Fund regulations do not, however, make any provision for an instrument specifically
geared to women; instead, the EQUAL Programme is to be used to reduce all forms of discrimination on
the labour market.

C 46 E/186

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.2.2001

Since women do not constitute a (cid:145)separate discriminated category(cid:146), but are represented in all social groups
(i.e. women are also to be found in the groups such as the disabled, foreigners etc. who are subject to
clearly defined discrimination) and are thus in some cases subject to double discrimination, will the
Commission say whether this will be taken into account in the new EQUAL Programme and in the aid
criteria based on this Programme?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(15 June 2000)

The guidelines for EQUAL have taken into account the double discrimination of women, in particular by
requiring the Member States to include in their programme proposals (cid:145)a description of the actions and
methods planned to implement the gender mainstreaming approach effectively(cid:146)(§ 61) (1).

In addition, the guidelines specify that one of the selection criteria for development partnerships will be
the submission of an agreement presenting (cid:145)its strategy and mechanisms for implementing a gender
mainstreaming approach(cid:146) (§35).

(1) OJ C 127, 5.5.2000.

(2001/C 46 E/218)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1388/00

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 May 2000)

Subject: Measures to promote paternity leave

In Sweden (cid:129) and now also in Italy, for instance (cid:129) a special bonus is provided to give fathers a greater
incentive to take paternity leave: if the father takes three months childcare leave, the family is entitled to a
further month of such leave. Statistics show that as a result of this measure 80 % of Swedish fathers now
take paternity leave.

Will the Commission consider pushing through such examples of good practice in the other Member
States so as to ensure that the contribution of fathers and mothers in bringing up children is more evenly
balanced?

Answer given by Ms Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(16 June 2000)

The Commission takes the view that, while the examples mentioned by the Honourable Member
encourage fathers to opt for parental leave and are part of a move towards balancing the involvement of
both parents in bringing up their children, it is the responsibility of the Member States to introduce (cid:145)good
practices(cid:146) of this kind.

At Community level, the legislation on parental leave is the subject of a framework agreement concluded
by the Union of Industrial and Employers(cid:146) Confederations of Europe (UNICE), the European Centre of
Enterprises with Public Participation (CEEP) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and
implemented by Council Directive 96/34/EC of 2 June 1996 (1). Clause 2.2 of this framework agreement
provides that the right to parental leave should, in principle, be granted as a non-transferable right, in
order to promote equal opportunities and equal treatment between men and women. Given that this
framework agreement is designed to introduce minimum requirements, the Member States enjoy complete
freedom to adopt more favourable measures in this area.

(1) OJ L 145, 19.6.1996.