Women’s rights: is gender equality a reality in Europe?

Sist oppdatert Tirsdag, 07/09/2021

Attitudes towards equality are evolving, but even today’s younger generation is not immune to gender stereotypes and disparities. Today, inequalities between women and men persist, particularly in the job market.

Equality between women and men is one of the founding principles of the European Union. The EU has made significant progress in gender equality over the last decades. However, gender gaps remain and in the labour market women are still over-represented in lower-paid sectors and under-represented in decision-making positions. 

The European Commission has placed gender equality high on its political agenda and has recently adopted an ambitious Gender Equality Strategy (2020-2025) aimed towards a gender-equal Europe. Here are some of the challenges faced by women, of course, more challenges exist.

What’s the situation and what’s the EU doing about it?

EU action for gender equality is mainstreamed in various policy areas and aims to ensure equal rights such as equality in decision-making, ending gender-based violence and gender pay gap. Here are some key statistics about the situation and connected EU actions.

Equal Pay

Women earn on average 16% less than men in the European Union (EU-27) with significant differences between countries. The EU both raises awareness of the situation with the annual Equal Pay Day campaign of the European Commission on 4th November and adopts various laws such as EU rights to work-life balance. 

Education and Research

Gender inequalities in education persist for example in terms of study subject preferences. Women are more likely to have a higher education degree but remain overrepresented in fields of study that are linked to traditional female roles such as care-related fields and are under-represented in fields such as science and engineering. 

This is why the EU runs the EU Prize for Women Innovators and supports the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Gender is also a cross-cutting issue in Horizon 2020, the EU funding programme for research and innovation. 

Violence 

33% of women in the EU have experienced physical and/or sexual violence! 

The EU aims to tackle gender-based violence through legislation and practical measures on victims' rights in line with the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

Leadership

Finally, women are less represented in leading positions in various domains: politics, economics, science and research. Only 7.5% of board chairs and 7.7% of CEOs are women (see factsheet on the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025)! 

The European Commission is committed to lead the way. Led by Ursula von der Leyen, the first woman President of the Commission, the College of EU Commissioners is, for the first time in history, close to achieving gender parity. 

How is the EU measuring progress?

Many ways to combat gender inequality are available to EU citizens. Identifying the problem is the first step in the process, with Eurostat providing information on the EU as a whole, as well as on its Member States. 

Once information is gathered, bodies such as the European Institute for Gender Equality can begin to advocate for equal opportunities for men and women through the creation of better policies. It publishes a Gender Equality Index that measures the complex concept of gender equality and assists in monitoring progress of gender equality across the EU over time. 

The Mutual Learning Programme between EU Member States has reinforced to share actions against the gender gap. Switzerland, Germany and Austria are for example using innovative tools such as pay calculators, to raise awareness on the issues surrounding gender equality. 

The EU also works closely with national gender equality bodies and civil society organisations such as the European Women’s Lobby. 

Need support? 

Ever felt that your gender has stopped you from getting a job? Or witnessed someone being unfairly treated because of their gender? Contact your national gender equality body and find out how EU law can support your case.