At the initiative of Dutch MEP Vera Tax (S&D, Netherlands) and in the framework of the European Parliament’s European Gender Equality Week (see EUROPE 12589/32), MEPs from the European Parliament’s Transport Committee (TRAN) discussed the under-representation of women in the transport sector with the European Commission on Thursday 29 October.
Women account for only 22% of workers in this industry, according to figures from the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF).
On the eve of the debate in the TRAN Committee, the organisation published a survey of some 3,000 female workers in the transport sector in Europe.
The report details the main obstacles faced by these female workers, also explaining their under-representation.
The first is the culture of masculinity and the gender stereotypes that prevail in this sector. Then there is unequal treatment at work and a lack of work-life balance.
Finally, the gaps in provisions on health and safety of women at work, including access to decent sanitation, and the high levels of violence and harassment against women in the workplace are highlighted.
MEPs and the ETF therefore called on the European Commission to take action, in particular by integrating a gender-sensitive approach into EU transport policies. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)