Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on:the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Towards a Community framework strategy on gender equality (2001-2005), andProposal for a Council Decision on the Programme relating to the Community framework strategy on gender equality (2001-2005)
Date: 2000-11-30
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: EU programme, gender equality

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Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on:

— the ‘Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Towards a Community
framework strategy on gender equality (2001-2005)’, and

— ‘Proposal for a Council Decision on the Programme relating to the Community framework

strategy on gender equality (2001-2005)’

(2001/C 116/17)

On 24 July 2000, the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 262
of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned communication and the
above-mentioned proposal.

The Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship, which was responsible for preparing the
Committee’s work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 14 November 2000. The rapporteur was
Ms Wahrolin.

At its 377th plenary session (meeting of 30 November 2000) the Economic and Social Committee
adopted the following opinion by 70 votes to one, with 10 abstentions.

1.

Introduction

On 7 June 2000,

1.1.
the European Commission put
forward a proposal for a Community framework strategy
for gender equality for the period 2001-2005. Ever since
Article 119 of the Treaty of Rome enshrined the principle of
equal pay for equal work, the Commission has been pursuing
a long-term policy of improving gender equality within the
Community. Over the years, a comprehensive acquis has been
built up in the wake of a number of European Court of Justice
rulings in gender equality cases. Since 1981, the European
Union has also run specific gender equality programmes. The
current programme expires in December 2000.

areas), and reactive actions (positive measures). It also includes
a proposal for a specific support programme for increased
coordination between different policy areas involving equal
opportunities. In addition, the strategy addresses enlargement
and gender equality in aid policies.

The Commission proposes that

1.5.
gramme should be financed under budget heading B3-4012.

the support pro-

The Commission proposal has been submitted under

1.2.
the terms of Article 3(2) of the Amsterdam Treaty.

2. General comments

The proposed strategy addresses five key areas for

1.3.
gender equality policies:

— economic life

— equal participation and representation

— social rights

— civil life, and

— gender roles and stereotypes.

1.4.
The strategy rests on two pillars: a proactive policy
(mainstreaming, i.e. including a gender perspective in all policy

The Economic and Social Committee welcomes the
2.1.
Commission proposal, and would particularly stress the ben-
efits of combining mainstreaming with active measures.

2.2.
The Committee supports the Commission proposal to
provide a separate budget heading for the support programme,
and to include a gender dimension in enlargement and aid
work. Though the Committee welcomes the possibility of
providing NGOs with up to 80 % support, it criticises the size
of the proposed budget. Even bearing in mind that the budget
line only refers to coordination of equality measures, a
programme of this importance requires greater resources,
capable of producing tangible improvements.

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2.3.
The Committee regards both legislation and infor-
mation as key instruments. Legislation in this area should be
evaluated and updated to meet modern requirements.

3.1.3.
The Committee welcomes the Commission’s pro-
posed review of tax benefit systems with a view to removing
obstacles to women entering the labour market.

The Committee’s comments on the various headings

2.4.
of the Commission proposal are set out below:

3.

Specific comments

3.1. Gender equality in economic life

3.1.1.
Equal access to work and equal opportunities to
make a living are key factors in achieving gender equality. This
is fully in keeping with the EU’s employment strategy and with
the conclusions of the Lisbon European Council, which set the
objective of increasing female employment from the current
average of 51 % to over 60 % by 2010 . Equality is the fourth
pillar of the employment strategy and the annual summits that
are to follow up the Lisbon Summit will give women and
employment a high profile place on the political agenda. The
Committee, like the Commission, stresses the importance of
promoting gender equality in economic life. Gender equality
must be seen as a factor in productivity. It is quite clear that
women must enter the labour market if the EU is to achieve
the economic growth needed to sustain its social — and not
least pension — systems. Equality is important to productivity
in a Europe where older people will account for an increasingly
greater proportion of the population. And if Europe is to be
able to maintain its level of social protection, women must
also be able to contribute to the economy through paid
employment.

3.1.1.1.
The Committee would particularly highlight the
Lisbon Council conclusions regarding facilitating the reconcili-
ation of work and family life. If women are to be able to work,
it is essential for men to shoulder their share of responsibility
for home, children and the elderly, for care facilities for
children and the elderly to be improved, and the right to
flexible parental
leave to be advanced. It is also society’s
responsibility to ensure that women and men can combine
parenthood with a job.

Encouraging lifelong learning and access to active
3.1.4.
in this context. This
labour market measures are essential
applies particularly to the flourishing IT sector. The Committee
urges the Member States to step up vocational guidance
services and improve adult education, especially for women
who are returning to the labour market.

3.1.5.
Access to reliable statistics is an important tool for
promoting equality. The Committee therefore particularly
welcomes the proposed further development and coordination
of national statistical systems, in order to allow for relevant
comparisons and monitoring of the declared objectives of the
European employment strategy.

3.1.6.
The ESC is pleased to note the proposal to improve
the use of the Structural Funds for the promotion of gender
equality.

3.1.7.
The Committee stresses the importance of the Com-
mission’s proposed operational objective, i.e. to develop stra-
tegies to encourage gender mainstreaming in all policies which
have an impact on the place of women in the economy, e.g.
fiscal, financial, economic, educational, transport, research and
social policy. The ESC looks forward to this being implemented
successfully.

Dialogue with enterprises and particularly cooper-
3.1.8.
ation with the social partners is also an excellent proposal
which the Committee endorses.

3.1.9.
The Committee would call the Commission’s atten-
tion to the fact that there is a need for more specific proposals
for actions to devise methods to assess and monitor the impact
of, for example, tax, economic and financial policy decisions
on female employment levels. It is also vital to study the
application of legislation, particularly on equal pay and equal
access to the labour market, and to disseminate information
on the Commission’s work in this field to the individual
Member States.

3.2. Equal participation and representation

In this connection, the ESC would also point out that
3.1.2.
women with disabilities are underrepresented in the workplace
and action must be taken to promote their employment.

3.2.1.
The Commission’s proposed actions to improve the
gender balance in political decision-making are very significant.
This is fully in line with the EU institutions’ policy to increase
women’s participation in the decision-making process.

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3.2.2.
The Committee endorses the aim to improve the
gender balance in economic and social decision-making, and
the proposed actions, particularly those on developing statistics
on women in decision-making positions in those areas. As
pointed out in previous opinions (1) statistics are necessary,
especially on the private sector . The Member States should be
encouraged to compile such data.

3.3.4.
The Committee particularly welcomes the proposal
for mainstreaming in the new reinforced cooperation within
the area of social protection, and the fight against social
exclusion. Here, it is essential to have more details concerning
aid policy objectives.

3.2.3.
The Committee believes that various types of support
programmes can play an important role in boosting women’s
representation.

3.4. Civil life

The Committee particularly welcomes the proposed
3.2.4.
support programmes to increase developing countries’ insti-
tutional and operational capacity, and wholeheartedly endorses
the proposal to include a gender perspective in aid policies,
and in relations with the applicant countries.

3.2.5.
The Committee takes the view that it is important to
improve the gender balance not just within the Commission,
but throughout the Community institutions.

3.3. Social rights

The Committee believes that social agreements and
3.3.1.
legislation, e.g. on parental leave, maternity protection, work-
ing time, part-time and fixed-term contracts, is important for
gender equality. It is therefore important to monitor how the
relevant Community legislation is implemented in the Member
States.

The Committee would point to the need both for
3.3.2.
directives which increase legal certainty, and for information
and awareness-raising. Countries and regions, as well as
generations, differ in their attitudes. To shape attitudes,
legislation and information must go hand in hand. The social
partners also have an important role to play here.

The Committee welcomes the Commission’s initiat-
3.3.3.
ive to put forward a proposal based on Article 13, which, in
addition to dealing with matters relating to the labour market,
also includes other areas, as recommended in the ESC opinion
on the Directive on combating discrimination on grounds of
racial or ethnic origin (2).

(1) OJ C 368, 20.12.1999.
(2) OJ C 204, 18.7.2000, pp. 82-90.

3.4.1.
Equality is also a human rights issue for women and
girls, and a basic freedom for women and men, regardless of
race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual
orientation.

The Committee welcomes the Commission proposal
3.4.2.
for more information and training in the human rights of
women both in the EU and in the applicant countries. While
the Committee welcomes the focus on women who are subject
to multiple discriminations, it would point out that this does
not just concern migrant women and those belonging to
ethnic minorities, but also those with disabilities.

3.4.3.
The ESC sees the proposals to step up measures to
combat violence against women and trafficking in women as
very significant. The Committee would stress the need to push
ahead with the Daphne and STOP programmes, but would
draw the Commission’s attention to the need to focus more
sharply on the causes of abuse. It is essential to seek long-term
solutions for ending patterns of mental and physical abuse
while at the same time offering victims care and protection.
Until we can properly establish what the causes of abuse are,
it is difficult to adopt the necessary measures.

3.5. Gender roles and stereotypes

3.5.1.
Negative or stereotyped images of women particu-
larly in the media and in educational material, impact especially
on young people, thus compounding the lack of equality in
society. The Committee therefore believes that initiatives to
foster a new mindset should already be included in the school
timetable.

3.5.2.
The Committee welcomes the proposed integration
of a gender perspective in Community educational pro-
grammes and initiatives. The Committee also welcomes the
plans to raise the profile of women in the European venture
and in European culture.

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3.5.3.
The media should take steps to change the way
women are portrayed. The Commission’s proposal to promote
such a dialogue and the exchange of views and good practice
with media representatives is interesting and important. In
tandem the Commission should improve information on what
is already being done in this area.

4. Conclusions

In conclusion, the ESC would express its satisfaction with the
for a support programme, and in
Commission proposal
particular with the intention to mainstream gender equality
into all policy areas. The ESC therefore looks forward in
expectation to the Member States working with this approach
and to future Commission proposals being permeated with
this outlook.

Brussels, 30 November 2000.

As the ESC represents civil society organisations, we would
also stress the need to involve NGOs of various kinds in the
drive for equality. NGOs have a decisive role to play in carrying
this forward.

The ESC would also refer to previous opinions on the Fourth
Community Action Programme on equal opportunities for
women and men (1), the Daphne programme (2), the Directive
on combating discrimination on grounds of racial or ethnic
origin (3) and the follow-up to the fourth UN Conference on
Women (4), where the ESC expressed its views on gender
equality.

(1) OJ C 39, 12.2.1996.
(2) OJ C 169, 16.6.1999.
(3) OJ C 204, 18.7.2000, pp. 82-90.
(4) OJ C 168, 16.6.2000 p. 42.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Göke FRERICHS

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APPENDIX

to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee

The following amendment was defeated, but received at least one quarter of the votes:

Point 3.1.1.1

Delete and replace with the following:

‘The Committee would particularly highlight the Lisbon Council conclusions with regard to making it easier to
reconcile working life and family life. If more women are to be able to work, responsibilities for home, children and
the elderly must be shared on the basis of partnership. Above all, the Committee feels that parents have an
irreplaceable role to play in caring for and bringing up children. Both parents must be given the chance to reconcile
work and family life. It is essential here to establish the requisite working arrangements, for example by making
provision for appropriate flexible working hours, parental leave and part-time working. Legislative instruments are
not enough; responsibility must also be borne by employers.

A further prerequisite for reconciling work and family life is the improvement of care facilities for children and the
elderly. Although childcare in particular is primarily a social responsibility to be shared equally by both parents,
childcare facilities must be expanded to provide additional support, not least since the reconciliation of work and
family life often falls by the wayside as a result of economic constraints, and the number of single parents is ever
increasing.’

Reason

As it stands, the text does not adequately highlight the action which should be taken in the interests first and
foremost of parental childcare.

Result of the vote

For: 20, against: 49, abstentions: 10.