WRITTEN QUESTION E-1383/00 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Drawing-up of statistics with a view to a better understanding of the situation of women and developments concerning women.
Date: 2000-05-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU statistics, position of women

C 53 E/134

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.2.2001

In the context of mobility the Commission has urged the Member States to accelerate the implementation
of the Europass and to generalise its use. The Europass is a document which certifies that the holder has a
European record of work-linked training (school-firm) in another Member State.

On 24 May 2000 the Commission adopted the (cid:145)e-Learning initiative(cid:146) (1), designed to mobilise the education
community and the economic and social players in order to accelerate the development of training systems
and the transition of Europe towards a knowledge society. In the context of this initiative it is planned to
strengthen the partnerships between the public and private sectors and between industry and the education
community. Particular attention will be devoted to the training of teachers and instructors, notably in the
use of new training technologies.

In its communication (cid:145)Strategies for jobs in the information society(cid:146) (2) the Commission argues that
universities must create new partnerships with industry to ensure that the courses supply the skills needed
by industry. This communication also aims to ensure that all teachers possess verifiable skills relevant to
the information society.

In the framework of employment policy, the European Social Fund (2000-2006) is designed to help
Member States put in place new active policies and appropriate systems for combating unemployment and
improving skills. It explicitly addresses the development of links between the world of work, education,
training and research institutes.

(1) COM(2000) 318 final.
(2) COM(2000) 48 final.

(2001/C 53 E/170)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1383/00

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 May 2000)

Subject: Drawing-up of statistics with a view to a better understanding of the situation of women and

developments concerning women

Statistics have a very important role to play in achieving a better understanding of the real situation of
women compared to men. They also clearly indicate both positive and negative developments in the
framework of women(cid:146)s policy and make it possible to devise appropriate measures. However, the fact is
that so far statistics showing gender-specific differences have been inadequate.

Does the Commission intend to take measures to make such gender-specific data available in future so as
to shed light on the present situation and developments in women(cid:146)s policy in all sectors?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 2000)

The Commission has for many years disseminated data disaggregated by sex. Virtually all of its publica-
tions in the social field present some statistics and indicators for both women and men. Furthermore,
Eurostat(cid:146)s reference database (NewCronos) contains a vast array of social statistics and indicators broken
down by sex.

the last decade or so has seen a significant

Admittedly,
increase in the demand for comparative
information on the social situation of women and men. As a result, Eurostat produced two reports: the
first in 1992, specifically on women, entitled (cid:145)Women in the European Community(cid:146) (1), the second in 1995
(cid:145)Women and men in the European Union (2)(cid:146). The latter was presented at the United Nations fourth world
conference on women in Beijing. Furthermore, the forthcoming Commission report on the social situation
in the European Union 2000 will also contain a significant amount of comparative data on women and
men.

As stated above, almost all social statistics published by the Commission should be available for both
women and men either on paper or in the reference database. Eurostat welcomes any suggestions with
regard to specific fields or indicators for which no information is available by sex but for which there is
deemed to be a need.

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/135

Furthermore, the Commission recognises the importance of statistics disagregated by sex as an indis-
pensable tool for gender mainstreaming of all Community policies. The design, the implementation and
the follow-up of policy can be improved by using harmonised, comparable and better focused statistical
data divided by sex.

(1)
(2)

ISBN 92-826-3137-0.
ISBN 95-826-9619-7.

(2001/C 53 E/171)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1387/00

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 May 2000)

Subject: Distorted image of women produced by the media

Since it has long been scientifically established (cid:129) and the Portuguese Council President Maria De BelØm
Roseira recently endorsed these findings (cid:129) that the media largely determine the image of the sexes and
women are sometimes still very much portrayed as objects, will the Commission say what it intends to do
as part of its future media policy to tackle this problem?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(5 July 2000)

The Commission is also convinced that the perpetuation of negative or stereotyped images of women and
men in the media does not provide an accurate or realistic picture of women(cid:146)s and men(cid:146)s multiple roles in
society.

As educational tools and means of shaping values and with full respect for freedom of expression, the
media should contribute to changing the existing gender stereotypes in the public perception and to
presenting a fair gender portrayal.

In order to promote a balanced and non-stereotyped portrayal of women in the media, the Commission
financed the Niki Prize between 1988 and 1997. This prize was awarded to programmes that provided an
insight into the situation of women and which focused attention on women(cid:146)s efforts to play an equal and
active part in society. In the framework of its programmes for equality of opportunities between women
and men, the Commission has also paid particular attention to this subject and has financed various
activities such as awareness-raising events and transnational projects on how to improve the image of
women in the media.

More efforts need to be made by all involved in order to promote the elimination of all stereotypical
gender discrimination, in particular, in the media and the development of good practice in this field.

The new Community framework strategy on gender equality (2001-2005) (1), adopted by the Commission
on 7 June 2000, proposes to continue to tackle this problem by ensuring the implementation of a gender
perspective in media policy, promoting the exchange of views and good practice in the media, and
conducting awareness-raising activities.

(1) COM(2000) 335 final.