Strasbourg, 16/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - Gender equality is a fundamental political objective in our democratic societies. It is also and economic and social objective. The full participation of women in the world of work is the key to the European strategy in the face of an ageing population. If we fail to use the potential of women, we will never achieve the Lisbon objectives. It is a key factor in competitiveness in this time of globalisation. That, in essence, was how Commissioner Vladimir Spidla opened the debate in Strasbourg on the first reading of the report by Lissy Gröner (PES, Germany and Amalia Sartori (EPP-ED, Italy) on creating a European Institute for Gender Equality, which the Commissioner would like to see become “a centre of excellence”.
MEPs adopting the report on Wednesday by 362 votes to 263, with 18 abstentions considered that, to make the future Institute more effective, its work should have a sharp focus. They also wanted guarantees about the management board's gender balance. It was hoped the Institute would be able to begin its work “as soon as possible” and noted that what was lacking at EC and national levels was the “capacity to pool analysis and come up with innovative solutions on, for example, gender mainstreaming”. As for the make-up of the Institute's board of management (whose members will be nominated by the Commission, Council and European Parliament), the EP said the aim must be equal representation for women and men and that there should be a guarantee “that the representation of both sexes is not below 40%”.
The creation of this Institute was announced by Commission President José Manuel Barroso in Strasbourg on 8 March 2005 (see EUROPE 8904). The Institute will have a proposed budget of 52.2 million euro for the period 2007-2013, Mr Spidla announced on 1st March 2006 (see EUROPE 9144).
Presenting the report, Lissy Gröner stressed that the amendments introduced sought to avoid any overlap with other specialised agencies and guaranteed the independence of the Institute. Amalia Sartori said that the Institute was a flexible technical instrument, necessary for gathering all the information from statistical agencies. The majority of those who spoke during the debate - such as Anna Zaborska (EPP-ED, Slovakia), Sarah Ludford (ALDE, UK), Hiltrud Breyer (Greens/EFA, Germany), Eva-Britt Svensson (GUE/NGL, Sweden) - were in favour of setting up the Institute, believing it to be a very useful instrument for future gender equality policies, that it must be unconditionally independent and that there had to be reasonable funding. Urszula Krupa (IND/DEM, Poland) drew attention to the 70 million European citizens living in poverty, where women were particularly affected. She added that there had to be help for the poorest and promotion of the family. Irina Belohorska (non-attached, Slovakia) hoped the Institute would be set up in Slovakia. Eugenijus Gentvilas (ALDE, Lithuania) said it would be good if it were established in a new Member State of the EU, and Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg (PES, Poland) would like it to be in Poland. Mrs Behorska also highlighted the role of mediator that the Institute could play in combating injustice and discrimination in the world of work, and more especially in wage differences between men and women. Marie-Line Reynaud (PES, France) stressed the need for sound cooperation between the Institute and the Fundamental Rights Agency.
Commissioner Spidla emphasised that the Institute would give greater political visibility to the problem of equal opportunities. He added that the Commission would accept amendments to the nature of the Institute (flexibility in its tasks, creation of networks etc) and which worked for improved gender equality.