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The struggle for the gender equality in Europe by Irene Lopez Mora

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The struggle for the gender equality in Europe

 

It is undeniable that gender equality is a subject of absolute importance at present. The struggle for the eradication of inequality between both sexes in such everyday areas of a person’s life, such as the world of work or interpersonal relations, has made it necessary to create certain measures by various state, European and international bodies.

This problem that has been occurring for centuries, has begun to be conceived transcendent among European society in recent decades, being currently the promotion of equality between men and women one of the fundamental values ​​of the EU, as well as an objective of the European project. However, despite the numerous existing provisions, there is a very slow progress that will undoubtedly take a long time until the total eradication of this sexist discrimination.

The European Parliament has never left aside the importance of achieving real equality between men and women and this has been reflected in the Treaties since 1957 (currently contemplated in Article 157 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union) and with the numerous Directives that it has been adopting since 1975. Likewise, legislation, jurisprudence and amendments to the Treaties have also contributed to the reinforcement of this principle and its application within the European area.

In this regard, the European Union has adopted, in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, the following legislative acts in this area:

  • Directive 79/7 / EEC of 19 December 1978, which obliges Member States to progressively apply the principle of equal treatment of men and women in matters of social security;
  • Directive 92/85 / CEE, of October 19, 1992, for the application of measures to promote the improvement of safety and health in the workplace of the pregnant worker, who has given birth or in breastfeeding;
  • Directive 2002/73 / EC, of ​​23 September 2002, amending Council Directive 76/207 / EEC on the application of the principle of equal treatment between men and women with regard to access to employment, to professional training and promotion, and working conditions
  • Directive 2004/113 / EC, of ​​December 13, 2004, by which the principle of equal treatment between men and women is applied to the access to goods and services and their supply;
  • in 2006, several old legislative acts were repealed and replaced by Directive 2006/54 / EC of 5 July 2006 on the application of the principle of equal opportunities and equal treatment between men and women in matters of employment and occupation (recast). This Directive defines direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment. It also calls on employers to take preventive measures to combat sexual harassment, toughens sanctions in case of discrimination and provides for the creation, in the Member States, of bodies charged with promoting equal treatment between women and men. Currently, the Parliament is working on the revision of this Directive in relation to the provisions on equal pay and has approved an application report on the basis of several studies commissioned by the European Parliament’s Research Service;
  • Council Directive 2010/18 / EU of 8 March 2010, which implements the revised Framework Agreement on parental leave, concluded by Businesseurope, Ueapme, CEEP and ETUC, and repeals Directive 96 / 34 / CE;
  • Directive 2010/41 / EU of July 7, 2010, which establishes objectives for the application of the principle of equal treatment between men and women who exercise an autonomous activity, including agricultural activities, as well as protection of maternity, and repealing Council Directive 86/613 / EEC;
  • Directive 2011/36 / EU, of April 5, 2011, on the prevention and fight against trafficking in human beings and the protection of victims. This Directive replaces the Framework Decision 2002/629 / JHA of the Council, provides for the approximation of sanctions for trafficking in human beings in the different Member States and for support measures for victims, and calls on the Member States to study “The adoption of measures to criminalize the use of services that are exploited […] knowing that the person is a victim of [trafficking]” in order to discourage the demand; also creates the role of EU Coordinator for the fight against trafficking in human beings; the Commission on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) will prepare a report on the application of the Directive throughout 2015;
  • Directive 2011/99 / EU, of December 13, 2011, by which the European protection order is created, “designed to protect a person against criminal acts of another that could endanger his life, his physical integrity or psychological and their dignity, their individual freedom or their sexual integrity “, and empowered a competent authority of another Member State to maintain the protection of the person in the territory of that other Member State; this Directive is reinforced by Regulation (EU) No 606/2013 of 12 June 2013 on the mutual recognition of protective measures in civil matters throughout the EU;
  • Directive 2012/29 / EU of 25 October 2012, which establishes minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, and replaces Framework Decision 2001/220 / JAI of the Council.

 

In addition to all these normative provisions of Community law, there is also the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) created in December 2006 and headquartered in Vilnius (Lithuania), mainly responsible for helping the European institutions and the Member States to promote gender equality in all Community policies and in the resulting national policies, to fight against discrimination based on sex, as well as to sensitize the citizens of the European Union in equality.

With all the above, it can be deduced that the main aims pursued by Europe in terms of gender equality are the following:

– An increase in the participation of women in the labor market and equal economic independence;

– The reduction of the wage and pension gap and inequality and, consequently, the fight against poverty among women;

– The promotion of equality between women and men in decision-making;

– The fight against gender violence and protection and support for victims;

– The promotion of gender equality and women’s rights throughout the world.

Mª Irene López Mora

Mª Irene López Mora

 

Graduated in Law from the University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain) and Expert in Prevention of Genre Violence. Training in criminology, penitentiary system and conflict resolution, violence and risky behavior among young people, among others.

I currently collaborate with Avv. Enzo Quattrini. Previously I have done curricular practices in the National Police of Albacete and I have worked in the Languages Center of my University. The latter has allowed my development in the linguistic sphere, being able to communicate in Spanish, English, French, Italian and Catalan.

 

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