Brussels, 20/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - In Strasbourg this Tuesday 21 September, the European Commission is to adopt, by written procedure, its new strategy on gender equality 2010-2015. The vice-president of the European Commission with responsibility for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship, Viviane Reding, will present it to the press on the same day, together with the results of a recent Eurobarometer survey into attitudes towards domestic violence in Europe. This is the first survey of its kind to have been carried out at Union level for more than a decade.
Reding presented this new strategy in Brussels on 16 July to the committee on women's rights and gender equality of the European Parliament (EUROPE 10183). Readers may recall that this strategy is based on five priorities: (1) equal economic independence for men and women; (2) equal pay for equal work; (3) equality in decision-making; (4) dignity, integrity and an end to gender-based violence; (5) promotion of equality between men and women in the EU. This strategy also stresses the contribution of gender equality to economic growth and sustainable development, and it feeds into the implementation of the strategy EUROPE 2020. These areas for action comply with the priorities the Commission laid down in its Women's Charter, which was adopted on 5 March 2010 (EUROPE 10092).
The new strategy, therefore, constitutes the working programme of the Commission as regards gender equality for the period 2010-2015 and is based on the road map for gender equality 2006 - 2010. This road map, which was adopted on 3 March 2006, described six priority action areas for the EU in the field of gender equality: (1) economic independence for women and men; (2) reconciliation of professional and private life; (3) equal representation in decision-making; (4) eradication of violence in all its forms and of trafficking in human beings based on gender; (5) elimination of gender stereotypes in society; (6) promotion of gender equality outside the EU (EUROPE 9144).
In a press release, the European Commission points out that gender equality is a fundamental right and one of the common values of the EU. Since 1957, the Commission adds, the European Treaties have provided a legal basis for the strategies and actions carried out in this domain. It must be noted that, in spite of the progress which has been made over the last 50 years, inequalities subsist at global and European levels, contrary to the fundamental objectives of the EU. This leads the Commission to note that this action of the EU in favour of gender equality is needed to preserve the fundamental rights of the citizens, to fight discrimination, reinforce social cohesion, reaffirm the common values and fully to exploit the potential of women, in order to boost competitiveness, growth and prosperity within the EU. (G.B./transl.fl)