95/593/EC: Council Decision of 22 December 1995 on a medium-term Community action programme on equal opportunities for men and women (1996 to 2000)

COUNCIL DECISION
of 22  December 1995
on a medium-term Community action programme on equal opportunities for men and women  (1996 to 2000)
(95/593/EC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 235  thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
1. Whereas the Council has adopted six Directives, two recommendations and 10 resolutions in the  area of equal treatment and equal opportunities for men and women (4);
2. Whereas these Directives and acts have played a major part in improving the situation of women;
3. Whereas equal treatment and equal opportunities for men and women are basic principles  recognized by Community law;
, the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the  Council put various requests to the Commission in preparation for the fourth action programme on  equal opportunities for men and women (1996 to 2000);
6. Whereas the said programme is in line with the aims set out in the conclusions of the World  Conference on Women in Beijing;
7. Whereas in the White Paper on Growth, Competitiveness, Employment, the Commission underlines the  need to strengthen equal opportunities policies for men and women in employment;
8. Whereas, in the White Paper on European Social Policy, the Commission undertook to present  during 1995 a fourth action programme on equal Second Council resolution of 24 July 1986 on the  promotion of equal opportunities for women (OJ No C 203, 12. 8. 1986, p. 2).
Council resolution of 16 December 1988 on the reintegration and late integration of women into  working life (OJ No C 333, 28. 12. 1988, p. 1).
Council resolution of 29 May 1990 on the protection of the dignity of women and men at work (OJ No  C 157, 27. 6. 1990, p. 3).
Council resolution of 21 May 1991 on the third medium-term Community action programme on equal  opportunities for women and men (1991 to 1995) (OJ No C 142, 31. 5. 1991, p. 1).
Council resolution of 22 June 1994 on the promotion of equal opportunities for women and men  through action by the European Structural Funds (OJ No C 231, 20. 8. 1994, p. 1).
Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States  meeting within the Council of 6 December 1994 on equal participation by women in an  employment-intensive economic growth strategy within the European Union (OJ No C 368, 23. 12. 1994,  p. 3).
Council Resolution of 27 March 1995 on the balanced participation of women and men in  decision-making (OJ No C 168, 4. 7. 1995, p. 3). opportunities for men and women, to come into  force in 1996;
9. Whereas the European Parliament has strongly and repeatedly urged the European Union to  strengthen its policy in the field of equal treatment and equal opportunities for men and women;
10. Whereas the first three medium-term Community action programmes on equal opportunities for men  and women (1982 to 1985, 1986 to 1990, 1991 to 1995) have played an important role in improving the  situation of women and in promoting cooperation at all levels in this area;
11. Whereas it is necessary to consolidate and build upon the results of the three programmes;  whereas, despite the efforts made at both national and Community level, inequalities continue to  exist, particularly with regard to the employment and pay of women;
12. Whereas the European Union's Information Offices in the Member States should step up their  efforts to disseminate information on the Community's equal treatment and equal opportunities  policies for men and women;
13. Whereas developing education and vocational training, diversifying the choice of jobs available  and increasing the number of working women can help enhance the competitiveness of the European  economy and improve integration into the labour market;
14. Whereas there is a need to develop measures taking into account economic and social change and,  in particular, to respond to changes in family structures, in the roles of women and men in  society, in the organization of working life and in the demographic composition of society;
15. Whereas active partnership between the Commission, the Member States, the social partners,  non-governmental organizations and in particular women's organizations needs to be promoted in this  area and synergy between all the relevant policies and measures encouraged;
16. Whereas the present programme can, in accordance with Article 3b of the Treaty and having  regard to the responsibility of the Member States for promoting equal treatment and equal  opportunities for men and women, bring added value by identifying and stimulating good practice and  policies, encouraging innovation and exchanging relevant experience, including in the field of  positive actions;
17. Whereas the present programme is not intended to support all measures in favour of women which  can be undertaken locally and may, in some cases, receive aid from other Community policies;
18. Whereas the Commission has submitted, together with the proposal for this Decision, a fourth  medium-term Community action programme on equal opportunities for men and women;
19. Whereas a financial reference amount, within the meaning of point 2 of the declaration by the  European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of 6 March 1995, is included in this Decision  for the entire duration of the programme, without thereby affecting the powers of the budgetary  authority as they are defined by the Treaty;
20. Whereas the Treaty does not provide, for the adopting of this Decision, powers other than those  of Article 235,