Brussels, 03/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - In its adoption, on Wednesday 3 September, by 562 votes in favour, 65 against and six abstentions, the own-initiative report of Iratxe García Pérez (PES, Spain) on gender equality in the EU, the European Parliament has taken clear position in favour of the joint approach recommended by the European Commission, which consists, on the one hand, of ensuring equality between men and women in all fields and, on the other, setting in place targeted measures to reduce discrimination. The MEPs are particularly concerned by the lack of progress in the salary gaps between men and women. They also take the view that the involvement of women in decision-making at local, national and European level is insufficient and call upon the Commission, the Member States and the political parties to "look into positive actions to improve the situation". "The use of electoral quotas has had positive effects on the representation of women", stressed the report by Iratxe García Pérez. Among the measures proposed to reconcile professional and family life, the MEPs propose to improve the framework agreement on parental leave by setting in place incentive measures to encourage fathers to take parental leave, reinforcing the rights of workers taking parental leave and relaxing the leave regime, the duration and payment for parental leave. Lastly, the Parliament speaks out against violence against women, which "is a major obstacle to equality between men and women and represents the most widespread infringement of human rights". (O.L./trans.fl)