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Gender equality has been set out as a priority for the first Swedish Presidency of the European Union following an informal meeting of Social Affairs Ministers and the Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, Anna Diamantopoulou in Sweden. The meeting, "Gender equality and social insurance - an engine for economic growth", set out conclusions which emphasised the economic arguments.
It focused on the need to structure tax, benefit and social security systems. Issues covered included equality for men and their right to bring up their own children.
Gender equality goals
Diamantopoulou said, "Gender equality rules will remain a dead letter unless they are enforced on the ground". She challenged the member states to enforce remedial action.
Five main points arose:
- Sustained economic growth in Europe will necessitate an increase in employment
- European economic policy and social security structures must be informed by gender equality goals
- Parental insurance schemes must be extended
- Child day-care facilities must be available for job and family demands
- Sustainable pension schemes are vital to combat poverty
The meeting suggested that a European institute for equal opportunities could be a useful body to establish, particularly to monitor and eventually remove pay differentials and exchange good practice.
In an unusual result for an informal meeting, the conclusions, in particular the social dimension of pensions and the need to combat poverty, will be taken to the Stockholm Summit which begins on March 23.
Other agenda priorities
At Lisbon a year ago, the European Council defined an ambitious strategy to make the EU "the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion".
The commission has published a report ordered by the Council: Realising The European Union's Potential: Consolidating and extending the Lisbon strategy.
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