Brussels, 27/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - Putting in place a joint European strategy to tackle gender-based violence is one of the priorities of the current Presidency, Spanish Equality Minister Bibiana Aído Almagro told the European Parliament (EP) women's rights and gender equality committee on Monday 25 January. She announced that, at the next Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumers Council (EPSCO) in March, Spain would put a raft of conclusions seeking to remove gender-based violence within the EU down for adoption. She also referred to the proposal to set up a European gender-based violence monitoring centre, responsible for compiling data through use of common methodology. With regard to the protection of female victims; Aído highlighted the backing already given by 12 member states to the draft directive on implementing a European protection order (see EUROPE 10064). On the economic level, she stressed the need to remove obstacles preventing fuller participation of women in the labour market. Within the EU, there was an average 17.6% difference between men's and women's wages in 2007. She also expressed Spain's unreserved support for the draft directive on maternity leave on which Parliament is due to vote soon. The minister also spoke of the Commission proposal to put in place a single, free, European help number for victims of gender-based violence, the “106 016”. Spain is seeking support for this initiative which is already backed by several member states, such as Austria, Finland, Sweden and Portugal, she said. During the Spanish Presidency, a number of events will be held, such as the Beijing+15 European Forum in Cadiz on 4-5 February, the informal meeting of equality ministers in Valencia on 25-26 March, and the 5th Meeting of Spanish and African Women for a Better World. (B.C./transl.rt)