A new vision for a gender-equal Europe

​Today, the European Commission presented its strategy for equality between women and men in Europe. The Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 sets out key actions for the next 5 years and commits to ensure that the Commission will include an equality perspective in all EU policy areas.

Gender equality is a critical component of economic growth and social rights in Europe. In this light, the EU has been making progress in the gender equality field over the last decades. Despite progress, however, twenty years into the 21st century, gender inequalities in labour markets, employment, quality of life and at work persist. This Strategy represents the European Commission's vision to tackle persisting gender inequality in numerous walks of life head-on.

Eurofound has taken particular note of the European Commission's proposals for legal measures to address pay inequality, the under-representation of women in management, inequity in care responsibilities and unpaid work, and its own role in monitoring the implementation of the Strategy.

Speaking about the launch of the Strategy, Mary McCaughey, Eurofound Head of Unit for Information and Communication said, "Today is a significant landmark in the pursuit of gender equality in Europe; the Commission's strategy is not just about addressing slow progress towards gender equality in a number of fields, but also setting out a new vision where Europe fulfils its potential by ensuring that women and men have equal opportunities for success in life. Eurofound is ready to play its role in monitoring the implementation of this vision."

Read more:

• Eurofound: ​Gender equality
• European Commission: ​Gender equality strategy