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The economic independence of women is crucial to achieving equality between women and men. Women’s employment rate (62.1%) is nowhere close to the EU target of 75%, and work patterns continue to reflect traditional gender roles: women are four times more likely than men to work part-time; the average hourly pay-gap in the EU stands at 16.4%; the employment rate for women falls by 12.1 percentage points when they have children under 12, while it rises by 8.7 points for men. Social protection systems continue to be based on career models which rarely reflect women’s working life patterns.

 

Real equality requires real choices

Posted on 11 June 2010

For the EWL, ensuring women’s economic independence is key to the promotion of gender equality. This includes integrating a strong gender equality dimension into European employment, poverty and social policies; working towards the elimination of sex-based discrimination in employment and pay; and making the link between paid and unpaid work. The issue of care, particularly lack of quality, accessible and affordable care services, is a barrier to women’s full participation in the labour-market; the EWL calls for the development of a care economy in the context of the EU 2020 Strategy, the future new European economic and social strategy.

For a comprehensive overview of the current situation in terms of women’s socio-economic position in the EU, and the most recent European policies in this area, see the chapter in the EWL’s Beijing+15 Report on Women and the Economy, as well as the chapter on Women and Poverty.

News

NGOs and MEPs call for more legitimacy in the implementation of the EU economic strategy

(Brussels, 14 May 2013) The EWL co-organised a very successful public Hearing on ‘Strengthening the democratic legitimacy of the European Semester - Civil Society proposals for smart, sustainable (...)
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Civil society proposals for a smart, sustainable and inclusive recovery

Civil society proposals for a smart, sustainable and inclusive recovery
(Tuesday 14 May) Getting alternative proposals for Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs) in the European Semester. The 2013 European Semester is currently in full swing, especially according to (...)
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Gender Equality must be at core of economic policies, says EWL President at Irish Presidency Conference

Gender Equality must be at core of economic policies, says EWL President at Irish Presidency Conference
[Brussels, 2 May 2013] EWL President stresses that gender equality is transversal and must be at the core of economic policies, including in employment policies and economic governance. (...)
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Our Voice

Ticking Clocks - Alternative 2012 Country-Specific Recommendations to strenthen women’s rights and gender equality in the Europe 2020 Strategy (September 2012)

Ticking Clocks - Alternative 2012 Country-Specific Recommendations to strenthen women's rights and gender equality in the Europe 2020 Strategy (September 2012)
[Brussels, 11 January 2013] The EWL is pleased to announce the publication of the first edition of its “Ticking Clocks” report, which aims to provide input for the European Commission annual (...)
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The Price of Austerity: The Impact on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality in Europe (Oct 2012)

The Price of Austerity: The Impact on Women's Rights and Gender Equality in Europe (Oct 2012)
[Brussels, 14 November 2012] The findings of the EWL study, The price of austerity – the impact on women’s rights and gender equality in Europe , reveal that while austerity measures are hurting (...)
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Manifesto - Women’s Socio Economic Rights and Gender Equality from a life-cycle perspective (May 2012)

Presented at the EWL Annual Conference, Budapest, 11 May 2012 We, members of the European Women’s Lobby, reaffirm that a sustainable future for the European Union and the world is possible only (...)
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» More Reports, Statements and Policy Papers
 

Take Action!

Why we feel that this campaign is necessary, now, and is well over 2 years overdue!

Why we feel that this campaign is necessary, now, and is well over 2 years overdue!
In 2008, the European Commission launched the proposal to amend the Pregnant Workers’ Directive (92/85/EEC) in order to extend maternity leave from the current 14 to 18 weeks, with a mandatory (...)
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Call for stories: workplace discrimination of new parents

Call for stories: workplace discrimination of new parents
[Brussels, 12 December 2012] Have you ever experienced discrimination at your workplace during pregnancy or for having had a baby? Have you experienced difficulties in obtaining (...)
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EU2020 Strategy: Get involved in the drafting of 2012 National Reform Programmes!

EU2020 Strategy: Get involved in the drafting of 2012 National Reform Programmes!
[Brussels, 03 February 2012] EU Member States will shortly develop their 2012 National Reform Programmes (NRPs), the main tools in implementing the Europe 2020 Strategy at national level. It is (...)
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