On Monday 26 April during its monthly meeting, the European Parliament’s Bureau (President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors) adopted a roadmap that set out the measures the institution intends to implement to achieve greater gender equality within its administration.
After taking office at the beginning of its mandate, the Bureau quickly set itself the target of achieving a figure of 50% women in middle and senior management positions and 40% in top manager positions by 2024. Currently, 39% and 50% of women hold middle and senior management positions within the European Parliament. Conversely, they account for 23% of top manager positions.
The roadmap, which was adopted unanimously this week, sets out milestones and provisions for gradual improvement.
For example, it makes provision for gender mainstreaming in training activities and work-life balance measures to support both men and women. It also sets out the requirement that in the event of hiring a manager, where there are cases of equal merit, priority should be given to the under-represented gender.
The Bureau is also committed to working towards achieving greater equality in the governance of committees and delegations, and in selecting external experts to participate in panels or to write studies.
This roadmap is valid for the next two years, after which new guidelines shall be adopted for the 2023–2024 period. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)