Brussels, 21/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - The sine qua non for gender equality is taking family policy measures. That was the conclusion of informal ministerial discussions in Bad Pyrmont (see EUROPE 9428), characterised by their great consensus. Chairing the Council meeting, Ursula von Leyden stressed that sustainable social policy had to “enable men and women to balance their careers and family lives”. Ministers also gave their backing to one of the objectives of the trio presidency (Germany, Portugal and Slovenia) to press on and make progress with the Commission's roadmap for equality 2006-2010. Commissioner Vladimir Spidla said that “young families should at least have the choice of whether to work or not after having children”. This is associated with a change “in society's mindset”, because fathers can and should play an active role in family life and child raising. (gb)