Sitting in Strasbourg on Tuesday 4 April, the European Parliament called on the Commission and the Council to “ensure that gender equality is incorporated in all EU programmes, actions and initiatives” and, therefore, for the application of gender mainstreaming within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the rural cohesion policies.
With its adoption (by 523 votes to 104, with 58 abstentions) of the report by Maria Lidia Senra Rodriguez (GUE/NGL, Spain), Parliament proposes new targeted action aimed at encouraging the participation of women in the labour market in rural areas, via rural development aid (see EUROPE 11736).
It also calls for specific measures to promote training and employment and safeguard the rights of the most vulnerable groups of women with specific needs, such as women with disabilities, migrant women, including seasonal migrants, refugees and minorities, victims of gender-based violence, women with little or no training and single mothers.
MEPs also calls for measures to reduce the gender pay and pension gap. Parliament calls on the member states and regional and local governments to provide affordable, high-quality facilities and public and private services for everyday life in rural areas, particularly with regard to health, education and care for children and the elderly. Lastly, it reiterates its call on the Commission to submit a proposal for an EU directive on violence against women.
Much still to be done. “We are labouring under a patriarchal system which oppresses us and makes women invisible”, said Senra Rodriguez on the plenary session debate. She says that much remains to be done for gender equality to be achieved. Unemployment affects women more than men and women are at a disadvantage on CAP aid, which favours large farms usually run by men.
On behalf of the Commission, Commissioner Karmenu Vella acknowledged that women face challenges but said opportunities are also open to them. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)