On the 8 March 2017, the European Commission published its new report on gender equality. The report examines the state of play in gender equality throughout Europe and presents examples of policies and actions in Member States in six areas:

1. Increasing female labour market participation and the equal economic independence of women and men
2. Reducing gender pay, earnings and pension gaps and thus fighting poverty among women 20%
3. Promoting equality in decision-making 28
4. Combating gender-based violence and protecting and supporting victims
5. Promoting gender equality and women’s rights across the world
6. Gender mainstreaming, funding for gender equality and cooperation with all actors

The 2017 Gender Equality report shows that women still face challenges in different areas such as high unemployment rates of women, especially in Southern Europe; an average gender pay gap ranging up to 40% and a pension gap of 38% that remains stable. In most EU member states women are still confronted with a glass ceiling and are underrepresented in politics.

However, euqality between men and women stays an uncontested priority of the European Union and is also enshrined in the Treaty of Rome as fundamental value. The ‘Strategic engagement for gender equality’ work programme for the period 2016-2019 was adopted in December 2015 and reflects the Commission’s commitment to step up its activities in the field of gender equality.

• Gender Equality Report 2017
• Press Release European Commission