Brussels, 18/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - How should the Commission and Council in partnership with the European Parliament (EP) shape future EU gender equality initiatives? That was the question underpinning the report by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL, Portugal) on the “Assessment of the results of the 2006-2010 Roadmap for Equality between women and men and forward looking recommendations”, which was adopted by 316 votes to 264, with 31 abstentions by the EP in plenary session in Strasbourg on Thursday 17 June.
Parliament made key recommendations for strengthening EU policies on social rights, economic independence, measures to combat violence against women and achieving balance in decision making. The EP outlined, too, the main points for better institutional cooperation at European level.
An EP press release highlights the fact that the EU has been a driving force in improving equality between men and women and ending gender inequality. However, the role of the EU has somewhat weakened and the pace slowed, and it is time for new impetus and initiatives, the press release says. (G.B./transl.rt)