[pic] | KUMMISSJONI TAL-KOMUNITAJIET EWROPEJ |

Brussel 7.2.2007

KUMM(2007)49 finali

RAPPORT MILL-KUMMISSJONI LILL-KUNSILL, LILL-PARLAMENT EWROPEW, LILL-KUMITAT EKONOMIKU U SOĊJALI EWROPEW U LILL-KUMITAT TAR-REĠJUNI

dwar l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel - 2007

WERREJ

1. Daħla 3

2. Żviluppi prinċipali 3

2.1 Politiki u leġiżlazzjoni 3

2.2 Diskrepanzi bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel 5

3. Sfidi u orjentazzjonijiet strateġiċi 6

3.1 It-tneħħija tad-diskrepanzi bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel fis-suq tax-xogħol 7

3.2 Favur bilanċ aħjar bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel għat-tqassim tar-responsabbiltajiet privati u tal-familja 7

3.3 Garanzija ta’ sostenn sħiħ tal-politiki ta’ koeżjoni u ta’ żvilupp rurali għall-politiki ta’ l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel 8

3.4 Garanzija għall-implimentazzjoni effettiva tal-qafas leġiżlattiv 9

4. Konklużjonijiet 9

ANNEX 11

1. DAħLA

Il-Kunsill Ewropew tar-Rebbiegħa ta’ Marzu 2003 stieden lill-Kummissjoni sabiex kull sena tagħtih rendikont tal-progress miksub għall-promozzjoni ta’ l-ugwaljanza bejn l-irġiel u n-nisa u l-orjentazzjonijiet sabiex tiġi integrata d-dimensjoni irġiel-nisa fil-politiki differenti. Dan ir-rapport hu r-raba’ wieħed li jwieġeb għal din it-talba.

L-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel fl-UE esperjenzat żewġ avvenimenti maġġuri fl-2006. l-adozzjoni mill-Kummissjoni ta’ Pjan ta’ azzjoni għall-ugwaljanza għall-perjodu 2006-2010 u l-adozzjoni mill-Kunsill Ewropew tal-Patt għall-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel. Dawn iż-żewġ inizjattivi ewlenin juru l-impenn attiv ta’ l-UE fit-tfittxija ta’ l-għan li tinkiseb ugwaljanza effettiva bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel.

Bħalissa mkabbra għal 27 Stat Membri, l-UE tlesti ruħha sabiex tiċċelebra l-50 anniversarju tal-politika ta’ l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel u sabiex tiċċelebra s-Sena Ewropea ta’ l-opportunitajiet indaqs għal kulħadd. Barra minn hekk, il-politika ta’ l-ugwaljanza tidher bħala l-idea prinċipali ta’ żewġ proġetti ewlenin fost it-tħassibiet. dak tat-tkabbir u ta’ l-impjieg u dak tal-bidliet demografiċi. Se teħtieġ is-sostenn sħiħ tal-Politika ta’ koeżjoni, li l-perjodu l-ġdid ta’ programmazzjoni tagħha se jibda fl-2007.

2. Żviluppi prinċipali

2.1 Politiki u leġiżlazzjoni

Bl-adozzjoni ta’ Pjan ta’ azzjoni għall-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel [1] fl-1 ta’ Marzu 2006, il-Kummissjoni ddefinit il-prijoritajiet u l-qafas ta’ azzjoni tagħha għall-promozzjoni ta’ l-ugwaljanza sa l-2010, u b’hekk tissokta ssegwi l-missjoni fejn tippromwovi l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel u tassigura ruħha li l-politiki tagħha kollha jikkontribwixxu għal dan il-għan. Il-Pjan ta’ azzjoni jirrappreżenta l-impenn tal-Kummissjoni li tissokta u li żżid l-azzjoni tagħha f’dan il-qasam. Kull sena se jiġi stabbilit rapport ta’ segwitu dettaljat.

Tul il-Kunsill Ewropew tat-23 u l-24 ta’ Marzu 2006, l-Istati Membri approvaw Patt Ewropew għall-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel [2] Il-Patt jimmarka r-rieda ta’ l-Istati Membri sabiex jimpenjaw ruħhom bis-sħiħ għall-implimentazzjoni tal-politiki li għandhom l-għan jippromwovu l-impjieg tan-nisa u jiggarantixxu bilanċ aħjar bejn ħajja professjonali u ħajja privata sabiex jissodisfaw l-isfidi demografiċi. F’dan ir-rigward, l-iżvilupp tas-servizzi ta’ kura tat-tfal sabiex jitwettqu l-għanijiet ta’ Barċellona [3] jidher essenzjali.

Ix-xjuħija tal-popolazzjoni marbuta man-nuqqas tat-twelid toħloq sfidi konsiderevoli għas-soċjetajiet tagħna, dan jintwera fil- Komunikazzjoni dwar il-ġejjieni demografiku ta’ l-Ewropa [4], adottata mill-Kummissjoni fit-12 ta’ Ottubru 2006. Jidher ċar li l-politiki ta’ ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel se jikkontribwixxu b’mod sinifikattiv sabiex iwieġbu għal dan. Minn naħa billi jistimulaw l-impjieg tan-nisa u b’hekk jikkumpensaw għat-tnaqqis previst tal-popolazzjoni attiva. Min-naħa l-oħra billi jsostnu t-twettiq ta’ l-għażliet individwali tan-nisa u ta’ l-irġiel, kif ukoll li jkollhom in-numru ta’ tfal li jixtiequ.

B’mod parallel, il-Kummissjoni nediet konsultazzjoni formali ta’ l-imsieħba soċjali [5] dwar l-orjentazzjoni possibbli ta’ azzjoni Komunitarja għal dak li għandu x’jaqsam mal-konċiljazzjoni bejn il-ħajja professjonali, il-ħajja privata u l-ħajja tal-familja, kif ukoll il-promozzjoni tat-termini u l-kundizzjonijiet ta’ ħidma flessibbli, l-iżvilupp tas-servizzi li jieħdu ħsieb u li jagħtu kura lit-tfal u r-reviżjoni eventwali tad-dispożizzjonijiet eżistenti rigward leave tal-maternità u leave tal-ġenituri[6].

Il-qafas leġiżlattiv ta’ l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel tjieb b’mod konsiderevoli bl-adozzjoni f’Ġunju 2006 ta’ Direttiva[7] li tissimplifika u timmodernizza l-leġiżlazzjoni Komunitarja eżistenti dwar it-trattament ugwali bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel għal dak li għandu x’jaqsam ma’ l-impjieg. Peress li l-liġi tista’ tinqara aħjar, dan għandu jiffavorixxi applikazzjoni aħjar u b’hekk jikkontribwixxi għall-għan ta’ "Tfassil Aħjar tal-Leġiżlazzjoni ". Sa Awissu ta’ l-2008, l-Istati Membri għandhom jiżguraw it-transpożizzjoni tad-direttiva fil-leġiżlazzjoni nazzjonali tagħhom. Għal dak li għandu x’jaqsam mat-traspożizzjoni tad-Direttiva ta’ l-2002 dwar it-trattament ugwali[8], saru proċeduri ta’ ksur tal-liġi kontra disa’ Stati Membri, fosthom erbgħa li għadhom miftuħin fl-aħħar ta’ l-2006.

Ir-Regolament li jistipula l-ħolqien ta’ l-Istitut Ewropew għall-ugwaljanza bejn l-irġiel u n-nisa ġie adottat f’Diċembru 2006[9]. L-Istitut mitlub jikkontribwixxi sostenn tekniku importanti għall-iżvilupp ta’ politiki ta’ l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel.

Is-sena 2006 rat l-adozzjoni tar-regolamentazzjoni l-ġdida tal- fondi strutturali [10] u l-orjentazzjonijiet strateġiċi Komunitarji rigward il-koeżjoni[11] għall-perjodu 2007-2013 li jistipulaw kemm l-azzjonijiet speċifiċi kif ukoll l-integrazzjoni ta’ perspettiva ta’ ugwaljanza fl-azzjonijiet imwettqa kollha[12]. L-implimentazzjoni tagħhom se tkun prinċipalment min-naħa ta’ l-Istati Membri permezz ta’ l-Oqsfa ta’ referenza strateġiċi nazzjonali u tal-programmi operazzjonali. Ir-Regolament tal-Fondi Ewropej ta’ l-iżvilupp rurali jintegra wkoll il-prinċipju ta’ ugwaljanza bejn l-irġiel u n-nisa [13]fil-politika ta’ sostenn għall-iżvilupp rurali. Barra minn hekk, il-programm Komunitarju Progress[14] jinkludi sezzjoni ddedikata għall-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel li ser issostni l-implimentazzjoni tal-politika Komunitarja ta’ l-ugwaljanza bejn is-sessi fil-qasam ta’ l-impjieg u tas-solidarjetà soċjali.

Il-faqar jolqot ta’ spiss lin-nisa, b’mod partikolari fost il-persuni anzjani jew il-familji b’ġenitur wieħed. Barra minn hekk, is-sistemi ta’ saħħa u ta’ ħarsien soċjali mhumiex dejjem sensittivi għall-bżonnijiet differenti tan-nisa u ta’ l-irġiel. Huwa għalhekk li l-promozzjoni ta’ l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel tidher fost l-għanijiet ġenerali tal-qafas il-ġdid għall-proċess ta’ ħarsien soċjali u ta’ inklużjoni soċjali adottat mill-Kunsill Ewropew f’Marzu 2006[15]. L-implimentazzjoni tiegħu għandha tikkontribwixxi sabiex tmexxi il-politiki maħsuba biex inaqqsu d-diskrepanzi bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel f’dawn l-oqsma.

Rigward il-vjolenza u t-traffikar tal-bnedmin , il-Kummissjoni, f’Komunikazzjoni ta’ Awwissu 2006, ippreżentat pjan ta’ azzjoni maħsub biex ikejjel il-kriminalità u l-ġustizzja penali[16], kif ukoll rigward it-traffiku tal-bnedmin, il-vjolenza kontra n-nisa u l-vjolenza domestika. Hi se tippermetti li ttejjeb konsiderevolment l-għarfien ta’ dawn il-flaġelli li l-vittmi ewlenin tagħhom huma n-nisa.

L-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel hi magħrufa bħala fattur ta’ żvilupp ekonomiku wkoll fil-qafas tar-relazzjonijiet esterni ta’ l-UE. Il-Kummissjoni, għall-bidu ta’ l-2007, tħejji Komunikazzjoni dwar l-integrazzjoni ta’ l-ugwaljanza bejn is-sessi fil- kooperazzjoni għall-iżvilupp . Barra minn hekk, f’Novembru 2006, ġie adottat Pjan ta’ azzjoni għal ħames snin għat-tisħiħ tar-rwol tal-mara fis-soċjetà tal-pajjiżi Mediterranji, fil-qafas tas-sħubija Euromed. Dan il-Pjan jikkostitwixxi l-qafas li fih l-UE u l-pajjiżi Mediterranji sejrin jikkollaboraw favur it-tisħiħ tar-rwol tal-mara fl-isferi soċjali, politiċi, ekonomiċi u kulturali.

2.2 Diskrepanzi bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel

L-impjieg tan-nisa ssokta jagħmel progress qawwi tul dawn l-aħħar snin, kif ukoll fost il-ħaddiema anzjani. Madankollu, dan m’għandux jaħbi l-qagħda sfavorevoli b’mod ċar tan-nisa fuq is-suq tax-xogħol meta mqabbla ma’ dik ta’ l-irġiel. Id-diskrepanzi jibqgħu importanti u huma dejjem għall-iżvantaġġ tan-nisa. Id-differenzi fit-termini u l-kondizzjonijiet tax-xogħol u s-segregazzjoni tas-suq tax-xogħol ma jiċċaqalqux. Dan jirrefletti diskrepanza ta’ paga importanti u stabbli.

L-ispinta għat-tkabbir ta’ l-impjieg fl-Ewropa tibqa’ l-ħidma tan-nisa. Minn meta tnediet l-Istrateġija ta’ Liżbona fl-2000, sitta minn tmien miljun impjieg maħluq fl-UE ġie meħud min-nisa. Fl-2005, ir- rata ta’ l-impjieg tan-nisa rat it-tnax-il sena konsekuttiva tagħha ta’ żieda u stabbilixxiet ruħha għal 56.3%, jiġifieri 2.7 punti aktar mil-livell ta’ l-2000, meta mqabbla ma’ 0.1 punt ta’ żieda għar-rata ta’ l-impjieg ta’ l-irġiel. L-issoktar ta’ din it-tendenza pożittiva[17] se tippermetti t-twettiq ta’ l-għan ta’ Liżbona ta’ rata ta’ impjieg tan-nisa ta’ 60% fl-2010. Bl-istess mod, kien ċar li ż-żieda tar- rata ta’ impjieg tan-nisa ta’ aktar minn 55 sena kienet ħafna aktar mgħaġġla minn dik ta’ l-irġiel u tilħaq minn issa ’l quddiem 33.7% jiġifieri 7 punti aktar mis-sena 2000.

Għaldaqstant, id-differenza tar-rata ta’ l-impjieg bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel naqset għal 15.0 punt fl-2005, jiġifieri tnaqqis ta’ 2.6 punt f’ħames snin. Wieħed għandu jinnota li d-diskrepanza tvarja bil-kbir skond l-età, peress li hi biss ta’ 5.9 punt fost iż-żgħażagħ (15-24 sena), ta’ 16.7 punt għall-ħaddiema ta’ bejn il-25 u 54 sena u tilħaq il-milja tagħha b’18.1 punt għal dawk ta’ aktar minn 55 sena. L-iżvilupp pożittiv ta’ l-impjieg tan-nisa jidher ukoll fit-tnaqqis proporzjonali aktar mgħaġġel tar-rata ta’ qgħad tagħhom, li d-diskrepanza ta’ din ma’ l-irġiel tonqos minn 2.8 fl-2000 għal 2.0 fl-2005.

Minkejja dan l-iżvilupp pożittiv, id-diffikultà dejjem akbar tan-nisa li jirrikonċiljaw il-ħajja professjonali u l-ħajja privata u l-iżbilanċ tat-tqassim tax-xogħol tad-dar u tal-familja tibqa’ importanti ħafna. Ta’ min jistagħġeb li r-rata ta’ l-impjieg tan-nisa bejn l-20 u d-49 sena tonqos b’15-il punt meta jkollhom tarbija, filwaqt li dik ta’ l-irġiel tiżdied b’6 punti. Barra minn hekk, it-talbiet li dejjem jikbru għall-flessibbiltà tax-xogħol huma ta’ piż fil-biċċa l-kbira fuq in-nisa. Kważi terz min-nisa jaħdmu part time (32.9% fl-2006) meta mqabbla ma’ 7.7% biss ta’ l-irġiel. 14.8% tal-ħaddiema nisa jadħmu b’kuntratt b’tul determinat, jiġifieri punt aktar mir-rata tal-ħaddiema irġiel. L-użu għat-termini u l-kundizzjonijiet ta’ xogħol flessibbli jista’ jirrifletti preferenzi personali iżda d-diskrepanza notevoli bejn is-sessi tenfasizza l-iżbilanċ bejn l-irġiel u n-nisa fl-użu tal-ħin.

Barra minn hekk, is-suq ta’ l-impjieg jibqa’ fil-biċċa l-kbira maqsum f’segmenti. L-iżvilupp ta’ l- indiċi ta’ segregazzjoni fl-impjieg u fis-settur skond is-sess ma juri l-ebda sinjal ta’ tnaqqis sinifikattiv. Għalhekk, jidher li ż-żieda ta’ l-impjieg tan-nisa ssir prinċipalment f’setturi ta’ attività u ta’ professjonijiet li fihom in-nisa jippredominaw. Kważi erba’ fuq kull għaxar ħaddiema jaħdmu fl-amministrazzjoni pubblika, fl-edukazzjoni jew fis-saħħa u l-azzjoni soċjali filwaqt li nofs il-ħaddiema huma impjegati amministrattivi, ibigħu fi ħwienet jew huma ħaddiema li mhumiex kwalifikati jew għandhom ftit kwalifiki.

Barra minn hekk, hemm żbilanċ persistenti bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel għall- postijiet ta’ teħid ta’ deċiżjonijiet , kemm politiki kif ukoll ekonomiċi. Inqas minn terz tal-maniġers huma nisa u l-kunsilli ta’ amministrazzjoni ta’ l-akbar 50 impriża Ewropej reġistrati ma kellhomx ħlief mara għal kull għaxar irġiel fl-2005. Fil-Parlamenti nazzjonali, id-daqs medju tan-nisa hu biss ta’ 24%. Id-daqs hu ta’ 33% fil-Parlament Ewropew.

Is-segregazzjoni tinsab mill-ġdid fl- edukazzjoni . Għalkemm in-nisa jirrappreżentaw mil-lum ’il quddiem il-biċċa l-kbira tal-gradwati l-ġodda tat-tagħlim superjuri (59%), l-oqsma ta’ studju jibqgħu stereotipiċi ħafna. It-tagħlim, ix-xjenzi umani u artistiċi u s-saħħa jiġbru kważi nofs il-gradwati nisa iżda anqas minn kwart tal-gradwati irġiel. Min-naħa l-oħra, l-istudji tekniċi jiġbdu biss mara gradwata minn kull għaxra iżda erba’ irġiel gradwati minn kull għaxra.

Waħda mill-konsegwenzi ta’ dawn id-differenzi u l-inguwaljanza mġarrba min-nisa fuq is-suq ta’ l-impjieg tidher mill-persistenza tad- diskrepanza tal-paga bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel. In-nisa jaqilgħu fil-medja 15% inqas mill-irġiel għal kull siegħa xogħol[18].

Fil-qasam soċjali, in-nisa jippreżentaw riskju akbar ta’ esklużjoni u ta’ faqar, b’mod partikolari fost il-persuni anzjani u l-ġenituri iżolati. Ir-riskju ta’ faqar tan-nisa ta’ aktar minn 65 sena hu ta’ 20%, jiġifieri 5 punti aktar mill-irġiel, filwaqt li dak tal-familji b’ġenitur wieħed [19]hu ta’ 34%. Barra minn hekk, ir-rata ta’ qgħad fit-tul jaffettwa 4.5% tan-nisa, jiġifieri punt aktar mill-irġiel. In-nisa jikkostitwixxu wkoll l-parti l-kbira ta’ persuni li ma jaħdmux u huma għalhekk partikolament vulnerabbli quddiem riskju ta’ faqar.

3. Sfidi u orjentazzjonijiet strateġiċi

Il-Kunsill Ewropew tal-Ħarifa 2006 enfasizza li l-politiki ta’ l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel huma strumenti essenzjali għat-tkabbir ekonomiku, il-prosperità u l-kompetittività. L-istrateġija Ewropea għat-tkabbir u l-impjieg tagħraf ukoll il-kontribut ta’ l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel għat-twettiq ta’ l-għanijiet ta’ Liżbona. Sabiex jisfruttaw bis-sħiħ il-potenzjal tal-produttività tal-ħidma Ewropea, jeħtieġ li jiġu promossi s-sehem u l-permanenza tan-nisa fis-suq tax-xogħol u li jitneħħew id-differenzi bejn l-irġiel u n-nisa fl-oqsma kollha. Sabiex jintegħlbu dawn l-isfidi, il-politiki ta’ l-ugwaljanza se jkollhom bżonn tas-sostenn attiv tal-politika ta’ koeżjoni u ta’ implimentazzjoni effettiva tal-leġiżlazzjoni tat-trattament ugwali. Il-Kummissjoni se ssostni l-azzjoni ta’ l-Istati Membri f’għadd ta’ oqsma ewlenin fejn għad irid isir progress importanti, b’konformità mal-prijoritajiet enfasizzati fil-Pjan ta’ azzjoni għall-ugwaljanza.

3.1 It-tneħħija tad-diskrepanzi bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel fis-suq tax-xogħol

L-aċċess għal impjieg imħallas u ta’ kwalità hu l-garanzija ta’ l-indipendenza ekonomika tan-nisa u ta’ l-irġiel. Issa, id-differenzi tassew importanti jippersistu bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel, b’mod partikolari għal dak li għandu x’jaqsam mat-termini u l-kundizzjonijiet tax-xogħol (xogħol part time , b’kuntratt temporanju) jew mas-setturi u professjonijiet li okkupati. Jeħtieġ li jiġu analizzati u li jittieħdu miżuri b’mod konkret rigward il-fatturi li joħolqu dawn id-diskrepanzi.

- Il-kawżi tas-segregazzjoni tas-suq tax-xogħol, li jitnisslu mill-għażla stereotipika tas-setturi ta’ l-edukazzjoni, tat-taħriġ u ta’ l-orjentazzjoni professjonali, għandhom jiġu miġġielda b’mod attiv.

- Jeħtieġ li jissaħħu l-isforzi maħsuba biex jeqirdu l-ostakoli li jfixxklu l-aċċess tan-nisa għal karigi ta’ teħid ta’ deċiżjonijiet u ta’ maniġment.

- L-isforzi mwettqa sabiex titnaqqas id-diskrepanza fil-pagi bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel għandhom jissoktaw, flimkien mal-partijiet interessati kollha. Għandha tingħata attenzjoni partikolari għall-livell baxx ta’ pagi fil-professjonijiet u setturi li fihom bosta nisa jaħdmu u għar-raġunijiet li jwasslu għal tnaqqis fil-pagi fil-professjonijiet u s-setturi li fihom aktar u aktar nisa qegħdin jaħdmu.

- It-tfassil, l-implimentazzjoni u s-segwitu tal-politiki tal-flessigurtà[20] għandhom iqisu l-impatt differenzjat tagħhom fuq in-nisa u l-irġiel u tevita li jaffettwaw l-aktar lin-nisa għall-aspett "flessibbli" u l-irġiel għall-aspett "sigurtà".

- Il-politiki u l-miżuri maħsuba jżidu l-impjieg ta’ gruppi mmirati speċifiki, żgħażagħ, ħaddiema anzjani, nies li ilhom qiegħda, minoritajiet etkniċi, ħaddiema migranti jew persuni b’diżabbiltà, għandhom iqisu l-qagħdiet u l-ostakoli speċifiki ta’ l-irġiel u n-nisa f’kull wieħed minn dawn il-gruppi.

3.2 Favur bilanċ aħjar bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel għat-tqassim tar-responsabbiltajiet privati u tal-familja

Bosta xkiel jillimitaw l-għażla ħielsa ta’ l-individwi li jikkonċiljaw il-ħajja professjonali u l-ħajja privata, pereżempju n-nuqqas ta’ servizzi ta’ kura tat-tfal, l-aspetti finanzjarji, ix-xkiel fil-progress fil-karriera, ir-riskju ta’ telf ta’ kompetenzi, id-diffikultajiet meta wieħed imur lura x-xogħol u l-pressjoni ta’ l-istereotipi. It-termini u l-kundizzjonijiet tal-leave għandhom ikunu eżaminati mill-ġdid sabiex jikkontribwixxu għal tqassim aħjar tar-responsabbiltajiet privati u tal-familja bejn l-irġiel u n-nisa u jiffavorixxu b’hekk il-kwalità ta’ ħajja u l-benessri tat-tfal.

- Jeħtieġ li jiġi assigurat li l- leave tal-ġenituri jkunu kemm għall-irġiel kif ukoll għan-nisa u b’mod partikolari li jkun individwali (li ma jistax jiġi trasferit), attraenti finanzjarjament, li jista’ jitqassam f’perjodi iżgħar u ma jitteħidx kollu f'daqqa u li t-tul tiegħu ma jkunx ta’ xkiel sabiex wieħed imur lura x-xogħol.

- Rigwrad ix-xjuħija tal-popolazzjoni fl-UE, jeħtieġ li jissokta l-iżvilupp għas-servizzi aċċessibbli u bi prezzijiet raġjonevoli tal-kuri għall-persuni dipendenti. Għandu jiġi previst ukoll il-ħolqien ta’ "leave ta’ l-ulied", attraenti kemm għall-irġiel kif ukoll għan-nisa, li jippermetti li t-tfal jieħdu ħsieb il-ġenituri anzjani tagħhom.

- Jeħtieġ li jiġi promoss il- leave tal-missier li jippermetti li l-missirijiet jiġu implikati fir-responsabbiltajiet domestiċi u tal-familja mat-twelid tat-tarbija.

- Il-ġlieda kontra l-istereotipi għandha tissaħħaħ għal-livelli kollha mill-partijiet interessati kollha u għandha timmira b’mod partikolari l-irġiel u l-impriżi.

- Jeħtieġ li tinżamm l-impjegabilità tal-ħaddiema fuq leave tal-ġenituri permezz ta’ miżuri anċillari tul il- leave u meta l-persuna tidħol lura x-xogħol. Dan jinkludi miżuri li jiżgura ż-żamma tal-kompetenzi ta’ l-impjegat u l-aċċess tiegħu għall-possibbiltajiet ta’ taħriġ kif ukoll il-garanzija tas-segwitu tal-karriera tiegħu.

- L-impriżi, b’mod partikolari l-SMEs, għandhom ikunu akkumpanjati fl-implimentazzjoni tal-miżuri ta’ konċiljazzjoni bejn il-ħajja professjonali, il-ħajja privata u dik tal-familja.

3.3 Garanzija ta’ sostenn sħiħ tal-politiki ta’ koeżjoni u ta’ żvilupp rurali għall-politiki ta’ l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel

L-2007 hi l-ewwel sena tal-perjodu l-ġdid ta’ programmazzjoni tal-politika ta’ koeżjoni u l-iżvilupp rurali. Il-politiki ġew orjentati mill-ġdid sabiex jikkontribwixxu aktar għall-għanijiet iffissati f’Liżbona u sabiex b’hekk iħeġġu t-tkabbir ekonomiku, il-produttività, il-ħolqien ta’ l-impjiegi. Jeħtieġ li jiġi sfruttat kemm jista’ jkun il-potenzjal tal-Fondi bħala katalizzatur tal-politiki ta’ l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel.

- L-Istati Membri għandhom jiżguraw il-promozzjoni ta’ l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel kif ukoll l-integrazzjoni tal-perspettiva tas-sess f’kull pass ta’ l-implimentazzjoni tal-Fondi, b’mod partikolari billi jiġu assoċjati bħala msieħba l-entitajiet responsabbli mill-promozzjoni ta’ l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel[21].

- Id-dokumenti tal-programmazzjoni tal-Fondi għandhom jippromwovu u jimplimentaw l-approċċ doppju tal-politika ta’ l-ugwaljanza permezz ta’ miżuri speċifiċi maħsuba biex jippromwovu l-ugwaljanza u permezz ta’ kunsiderazzjoni attentiva tal-mod li bihom il-proġetti l-oħra u t-tmexxija tal-Fondi jistgħu jaffettwaw lill-irġiel u lin-nisa[22].

- Il-Fondi għandhom jikkontribwixxi għat-titjib ta’ l-aċċess għall-impjieg, iż-żieda fis-sehem u l-progress tan-nisa fl-impjieg kif ukoll isostnu t-twettiq ta’ l-għanijiet li għandhom x’jaqsmu ma’ l-istrutturi ta’ servizzi ta’ kura tat-tfal u għall-iżvilupp ta’ strutturi oħra ta’ kuri u sabiex iħaffu l-aċċess[23]. Il-Fondi għandhom isostnu wkoll l-intraprendenza tan-nisa, kif ukoll permezz tas-servizzi għall-impriżi u l-aċċess għall-finanzjament[24].

- Għandhom jiġu promossi azzjonijiet ta’ tixrid u skambji ta’ prassi tajba u kampanji ta’ għarfien għal dak li għandu x’jaqsam ma’ l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel u d-djalogu bejn il-partijiet interessati għandu jissaħħaħ[25].

3.4 Garanzija għall-implimentazzjoni effettiva tal-qafas leġiżlattiv

L- acquis Komunitarju rigward l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel ikkontribwixxa ħafna għall-progress imwettaq minn 50 sena ’l hawn u jkompli jiżviluppa u jimmodernizza ruħu sabiex jagħmluh aktar ċar u effiċjenti. Hu madankollu importanti li tiġi ggarantita l-implimentazzjoni effettiva tal-leġiżlazzjoni li mhix sempliċi traspożizzjoni ta’ l- acquis . Jinsab f’idejn il-parteċipanti nazzjonali li jsostnu b’mod attiv l-implimentazzjoni ta’ din il-leġiżlazzjoni sabiex jiggarantixxu applikazzjoni sħiħa tal-liġi.

- Jeħtieġ li jittieħdu miżuri maħsuba biex isaħħu l-kapaċitajiet rigward l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel tal-parteċipanti tas-sistema ġudizzjarja, b’mod partikolari l-imħallfin u l-avukati, sabiex ikollhom it-tagħrif u l-għajnuna teknika meħtieġa biex jindirizzaw il-kwistjonijiet ta’ l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel fl-attivitajiet tagħhom.

- L-Istati Membri u l-imsieħba soċjali għandhom isostnu b’mod attiv l-implimentazzjoni effettiva tal-leġiżlazzjoni tat-trattament ugwali bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel u joħolqu kundizzjonijiet li jippermettu r-rispett tagħha.

- L-entitajiet ta’ promozzjoni ta’ l-ugwaljanza stipulati fid-Direttiva 2002/73[26] jistgħu jkollhom sehem attiv fl-implimentazzjoni tal-leġiżlazzjoni. Għandhom ikunu sostnuti fl-azzjoni tagħhom billi jiggarantulhom ir-riżorsi finanzjarji u umani meħtieġa u billi jiżguraw li għandhom il-kompetenzi kollha mniżżla fid-Direttiva.

4. Konklużjonijiet

Imsejsa fuq dan ir-rapport u f’konformità mal-prijoritajiet enfasizzati fil-Pjan ta’ Azzjoni u l-Patt Ewropew għall-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel, il-Kunsill Ewropew hu mistieden iġiegħel minnufih lill-Istati Membri sabiex jegħlbu l-isfidi msemmija hawn fuq, f’kollaborazzjoni mal-partijiet interessati kollha. Għandha tingħata attenzjoni partikolari sabiex:

- jiġi implimentati kollox sabiex tinqered id-diskrepanza fil-paga bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel;

- tissaħħaħ l-integrazzjoni ta’ perspettiva ta’ ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel fl-implimentazzjoni tal-politiki ta’ l-impjieg;

- jiġu ssoktati l-isforzi maħsuba jippermettu lill-irġiel u lin-nisa jikkonċiljaw il-ħajja professjonali, il-ħajja privata u l-ħajja tal-familja u jiġu sostnuti l-imsieħba soċjali fl-implimentazzjoni tal-miżuri f’dan is-sens;

- jiġi adottat approċċ tal-kwistjonijiet marbuta mal-bidliet demografiċi li jikkunsidra u li jsostni l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel;

- jiġi użat bis-sħiħ il-potenzjal offrut mill-Politika ta’ Koeżjoni u ta’ l-iżvilupp rurali f’appoġġ mal-promozzjoni ta’ l-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel permezz ta’ programmi kofinanzjati mill-fondi strutturali;

- jiġu trasposti f’malajr id-Direttivi 2006/54/KE li għandha x’taqsam mat-trattament ugwali bejn l-irġiel u n-nisa (tfassil mill-ġdid) u 2004/113/KE rigward it-trattament ugwali bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel fil-provvediment u l-aċċess għall-beni u s-servizzi.

ANNEX

This statistical annex provides an overview of the situation of women and men in the EU, its evolution over time and remaining gender gaps in different fields such as the labour market, education, presence in decision making positions and social inclusion. Indicators have been chosen according to their relevance in covering aspects of the lives of women and men and the availability of comparable and reliable data. These indicators were already presented in the previous reports in order to facilitate the follow-up from one year to another.

Employment rates

Over the last few years, progress has been achieved towards the Lisbon target of reaching an employment rate for women of 60% by 2010. Female employment rate has risen from 53.6% in 2000 to 56.3% in 2005 whereas over the same period male employment rate has remained stable (from 71.2% to 71.3%). As a result, the gap between women's and men's employment rates decreased from 17.6 percentage points (p.p.) in 2000 to 15 p.p. in 2005. At national level, significant differences exist across the EU, with an employment rate gap below 10 p.p. in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, the Baltic countries, Bulgaria and Slovenia but exceeding 20 p.p. in Cyprus, Spain, Italy, Greece and Malta. The gap between female and male employment rates remains much higher amongst older workers (55 to 64 years) at 18.1 p.p. in 2005, down from 20 p.p. in 2000. This reduction was due to a strong rise in the employment rate of older female workers, from 26.9% in 2000 to 33.7% in 2005.

Unemployment rates

The positive evolution of female employment was reflected in unemployment figures, as the gap between women's and men's unemployment rates narrowed from 2.8 p.p. in 2000 to 2.0 p.p. in 2005. This decrease occurred notably in countries where the gap was the highest in 2000 (Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Germany, France and Poland). Nevertheless women were still more likely to be unemployed than men as the unemployment rate was 9.9% among women in 2005 whereas it was 7.9% among men.

Part-time work

Women's participation in the labour market is still largely characterised by a high share of part-time work. In 2006, the share of women employees working part-time was 32.9% in the EU while the corresponding figure for men was 7.7%. The share of female part-timers exceeded 30% in France, Denmark and Luxembourg, 40% in Sweden, Austria, Belgium, United Kingdom and Germany and even reached 75% in the Netherlands. Conversely, the share of part-timers among female workers was very low in Bulgaria, Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Latvia.

Reconciliation of professional , private and family life

Women's participation to employment is affected by their predominant role in the care of children and other dependant persons, such as elderly or disabled persons. The difficulties faced by women in reconciling their professional and private life are evidenced by the strong impact of parenthood on employment rates. Participation in employment and the amount of time worked by women between 20 and 49 years are closely linked to the number and age of their children, which is less the case for men. In 2005, the employment rate for women aged 20-49 was 61.1% when they had children under 12, compared with 76% when they did not. For men with children under 12, however, the employment rate was higher (91.5%) than for those without children (85.6%).

Education and research

In most Member States, more women than men reach a high level of education. However, once graduated, the presence of women clearly decreases at each step of the typical academic career. Indeed, women are more numerous and more successful than men at first degree level (59% of ISCED5a graduates), but their share decreases amongst PhDs (43% of ISCED6 graduates), and reaches a minimum amongst full professors (15% of Grade A full professors). Moreover, study fields continue to be greatly segmented with a low presence of women in engineering or science and technology and a high one in health, education or the humanities.

Segregation

The choice of study fields certainly impacts on the gender segregation of the labour markets evidenced both for occupations and economic sectors. Estonia, Cyprus, Slovakia, Finland and Hungary face high segregation in occupations whilst sectoral segregation is the highest in Estonia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Ireland, Finland and Sweden. In consequence of segregated labour markets there is an under-representation of women in sectors crucial for economic development and usually well remunerated. For example, only 29% of scientists and engineers in the EU are women.

Decision-making

The average number of female members of national parliaments (single/lower houses) was 24% in 2006, just 1 p.p. above the 2004 level. This share exceeds 30% in Germany, Austria, Spain and Belgium and 40% in Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. However, it was below 15% in Greece, France, Slovenia, Ireland and Romania and did not exceed 10% in Malta and Hungary. Regarding decision-making in the economic sphere, women's share among managers in enterprises and administrations was 32% in 2005, just 1 p.p. above the 2000 level. This share exceeded 35% in Baltic countries and France while it was lower than 15% in Malta and Cyprus.

At risk of poverty rate for older people

The consequence of the disadvantaged position of women on the labour market was visible in the gender gap in poverty risk, especially among older persons (aged 65 and over). The share of people being at risk of poverty (having an income below the threshold set at 60% of the national median income) is significantly higher for women than for men in the EU (20% vs. 15%) in almost all Member States. The gap exceeds 10 p.p. in five countries: Romania, Bulgaria, Ireland, Slovenia and Estonia.

Average age of women at first child

The average age of women at child bearing is still increasing, reaching 28.3 years in 2004. It is under 25 years for Bulgaria, Romania and the Baltic countries but was the highest in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.

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Employment rates (women and men aged 15-64) in EU Member States – 2000 and 2005

Women | Men | Gender gap |

2000 | 2005 | 2000 | 2005 | 2000 | 2005 |

EU (25 countries) | 53.6 | 56.3 | 71.2 | 71.3 | 17.6 | 15 |

Belgium | 51.5 | 53.8 | 69.5 | 68.3 | 18 | 14.5 |

Czech Republic | 56.9 | 56.3 | 73.2 | 73.3 | 16.3 | 17 |

Denmark | 71.6 | 71.9 | 80.8 | 79.8 | 9.2 | 7.9 |

Germany | 58.1 | 59.6 | 72.9 | 71.2 | 14.8 | 11.6 |

Estonia | 56.9 | 62.1 | 64.3 | 67 | 7.4 | 4.9 |

Greece | 41.7 | 46.1 | 71.5 | 74.2 | 29.8 | 28.1 |

Spain | 41.3 | 51.2 | 71.2 | 75.2 | 29.9 | 24 |

France | 55.2 | 57.6 | 69.2 | 68.8 | 14 | 11.2 |

Ireland | 53.9 | 58.3 | 76.3 | 76.9 | 22.4 | 18.6 |

Italy | 39.6 | 45.3 | 68 | 69.9 | 28.4 | 24.6 |

Cyprus | 53.5 | 58.4 | 78.7 | 79.2 | 25.2 | 20.8 |

Latvia | 53.8 | 59.3 | 61.5 | 67.6 | 7.7 | 8.3 |

Lithuania | 57.7 | 59.4 | 60.5 | 66.1 | 2.8 | 6.7 |

Luxembourg | 50.1 | 53.7 | 75 | 73.3 | 24.9 | 19.6 |

Hungary | 49.7 | 51 | 63.1 | 63.1 | 13.4 | 12.1 |

Malta | 33.1 | 33.7 | 75 | 73.8 | 41.9 | 40.1 |

Netherlands | 63.5 | 66.4 | 82.1 | 79.9 | 18.6 | 13.5 |

Austria | 59.6 | 62 | 77.3 | 75.4 | 17.7 | 13.4 |

Poland | 48.9 | 46.8 | 61.2 | 58.9 | 12.3 | 12.1 |

Portugal | 60.5 | 61.7 | 76.5 | 73.4 | 16 | 11.7 |

Slovenia | 58.4 | 61.3 | 67.2 | 70.4 | 8.8 | 9.1 |

Slovakia | 51.5 | 50.9 | 62.2 | 64.6 | 10.7 | 13.7 |

Finland | 64.2 | 66.5 | 70.1 | 70.3 | 5.9 | 3.8 |

Sweden | 70.9 | 70.4 | 75.1 | 74.4 | 4.2 | 4 |

United Kingdom | 64.7 | 65.9 | 77.8 | 77.6 | 13.1 | 11.7 |

Bulgaria | 46.3 | 51.7 | 54.7 | 60 | 8.4 | 8.3 |

Romania | 57.5 | 51.5 | 68.6 | 63.7 | 11.1 | 12.2 |

Eurostat, Labour Force Survey (LFS), annual averages

Employment rates of older workers (women and men aged 55-64) in EU Member States – 2000 and 2005

Women | Men | Gender gap |

2000 | 2005 | 2000 | 2005 | 2000 | 2005 |

EU (25 countries) | 26.9 | 33.7 | 46.9 | 51.8 | 20 | 18.1 |

Belgium | 16.6 | 22.1 | 36.4 | 41.7 | 19.8 | 19.6 |

Czech Republic | 22.4 | 30.9 | 51.7 | 59.3 | 29.3 | 28.4 |

Denmark | 46.6 | 53.5 | 64.1 | 65.6 | 17.5 | 12.1 |

Germany | 29 | 37.5 | 46.4 | 53.5 | 17.4 | 16 |

Estonia | 39 | 53.7 | 55.9 | 59.3 | 16.9 | 5.6 |

Greece | 24.3 | 25.8 | 55.2 | 58.8 | 30.9 | 33 |

Spain | 20.2 | 27.4 | 54.9 | 59.7 | 34.7 | 32.3 |

France | 26.3 | 35.2 | 33.6 | 40.7 | 7.3 | 5.5 |

Ireland | 27.2 | 37.3 | 63.2 | 65.7 | 36 | 28.4 |

Italy | 15.3 | 20.8 | 40.9 | 42.7 | 25.6 | 21.9 |

Cyprus | 32.1 | 31.5 | 67.3 | 70.8 | 35.2 | 39.3 |

Latvia | 26.7 | 45.3 | 48.4 | 55.2 | 21.7 | 9.9 |

Lithuania | 32.6 | 41.7 | 50.6 | 59.1 | 18 | 17.4 |

Luxembourg | 16.4 | 24.9 | 37.2 | 38.3 | 20.8 | 13.4 |

Hungary | 13.3 | 26.7 | 33.2 | 40.6 | 19.9 | 13.9 |

Malta | 8.4 | 12.4 | 50.8 | 50.8 | 42.4 | 38.4 |

Netherlands | 26.1 | 35.2 | 50.2 | 56.9 | 24.1 | 21.7 |

Austria | 17.2 | 22.9 | 41.2 | 41.3 | 24 | 18.4 |

Poland | 21.4 | 19.7 | 36.7 | 35.9 | 15.3 | 16.2 |

Portugal | 40.6 | 43.7 | 62.1 | 58.1 | 21.5 | 14.4 |

Slovenia | 13.8 | 18.5 | 32.3 | 43.1 | 18.5 | 24.6 |

Slovakia | 9.8 | 15.6 | 35.4 | 47.8 | 25.6 | 32.2 |

Finland | 40.4 | 52.7 | 42.9 | 52.8 | 2.5 | 0.1 |

Sweden | 62.1 | 66.7 | 67.8 | 72 | 5.7 | 5.3 |

United Kingdom | 41.7 | 48.1 | 60.1 | 66 | 18.4 | 17.9 |

Bulgaria | 10.3 | 25.5 | 33.2 | 45.5 | 22.9 | 20 |

Romania | 43.8 | 33.1 | 56 | 46.7 | 12.2 | 13.6 |

Eurostat, Labour Force Survey (LFS), annual averages

Unemployment rates (women and men aged 15 and over) in EU Member States – 2000 and 2005

In this table, the gender gap is calculated as women's unemployment rate minus men's unemployment rate

Women | Men | Gender gap |

2000 | 2005 | 2000 | 2005 | 2000 | 2005 |

EU (25 countries) | 10.2 | 9.9 | 7.4 | 7.9 | 2.8 | 2 |

Belgium | 8.5 | 9.5 | 5.6 | 7.6 | 2.9 | 1.9 |

Czech Republic | 10.3 | 9.8 | 7.3 | 6.5 | 3 | 3.3 |

Denmark | 4.8 | 5.3 | 3.9 | 4.4 | 0.9 | 0.9 |

Germany | 8.7 | 10.3 | 6 | 8.9 | 2.7 | 1.4 |

Estonia | 11.8 | 7.1 | 13.8 | 8.8 | -2 | -1.7 |

Greece | 17.2 | 15.3 | 7.5 | 6.1 | 9.7 | 9.2 |

Spain | 16 | 12.2 | 7.9 | 7 | 8.1 | 5.2 |

France | 10.9 | 10.9 | 7.6 | 9 | 3.3 | 1.9 |

Ireland | 4.2 | 4 | 4.3 | 4.6 | -0.1 | -0.6 |

Italy | 13.6 | 10.1 | 7.8 | 6.2 | 5.8 | 3.9 |

Cyprus | 7.2 | 6.5 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 4 | 2.2 |

Latvia | 12.9 | 8.7 | 14.4 | 9.1 | -1.5 | -0.4 |

Lithuania | 14.1 | 8.3 | 18.6 | 8.2 | -4.5 | 0.1 |

Luxembourg | 3.1 | 5.9 | 1.8 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 2.4 |

Hungary | 5.6 | 7.4 | 7 | 7 | -1.4 | 0.4 |

Malta | 7.4 | 9 | 6.4 | 6.5 | 1 | 2.5 |

Netherlands | 3.6 | 5.1 | 2.2 | 4.4 | 1.4 | 0.7 |

Austria | 4.3 | 5.5 | 3.1 | 4.9 | 1.2 | 0.6 |

Poland | 18.1 | 19.1 | 14.4 | 16.6 | 3.7 | 2.5 |

Portugal | 4.9 | 8.7 | 3.2 | 6.7 | 1.7 | 2 |

Slovenia | 7 | 7 | 6.5 | 6.1 | 0.5 | 0.9 |

Slovakia | 18.6 | 17.2 | 18.9 | 15.5 | -0.3 | 1.7 |

Finland | 10.6 | 8.6 | 9.1 | 8.2 | 1.5 | 0.4 |

Sweden | 5.3 | 7.7 | 5.9 | 7.9 | -0.6 | -0.2 |

United Kingdom | 4.8 | 4.3 | 5.8 | 5.1 | -1 | -0.8 |

Bulgaria | 16.2 | 9.8 | 16.7 | 10.3 | -0.5 | -0.5 |

Romania | 6.3 | 7.6 | 7.2 | 8.3 | -0.9 | -0.7 |

Eurostat, Labour Force Survey (LFS), annual averages

Share of part-time workers in total employment, in EU Member States - 2001 and 2006

Women | Men |

2001 | 2006 | 2001 | 2006 |

EU (25 countries) | 29.8 | 32.9 | 6.2 | 7.7 |

Belgium | 36.8 | 42.6 | 5.2 | 7.9 |

Czech Republic | 8.6 | 8.7 | 2.2 | 2.3 |

Denmark | 31.6 | 35.9 | 10.2 | 12.8 |

Germany | 39.3 | 45.8 | 5.3 | 9.3 |

Estonia | 10.4 | 11.6 | 4.7 | 4.6 |

Greece | 7.2 | 10.4 | 2.3 | 3 |

Spain | 17.3 | 23.5 | 2.8 | 4.5 |

France | 30.4 | 30.7 | 5.0 | 5.8 |

Ireland | 31.3 | : | 6.5 | : |

Italy | 17.8 | 26.7 | 3.8 | 4.7 |

Cyprus | 12.9 | 12 | 5 | 4.6 |

Latvia | 12.1 | 8.7 | 7.9 | 4.6 |

Lithuania | 10 | 11.8 | 7.6 | 6.5 |

Luxembourg | 25.6 | 38.2 | 1.8 | 2.5 |

Hungary | 5.1 | 5.7 | 2 | 2.8 |

Malta | 17.1 | 21.8 | 3.7 | 4.5 |

Netherlands | 71.3 | 74.7 | 20 | 23.2 |

Austria | 33.6 | 40.7 | 4.3 | 6.5 |

Poland | 12.6 | 13.5 | 8.2 | 7.1 |

Portugal | 16.7 | 15.9 | 6.9 | 7.5 |

Slovenia | 7.4 | 11.8 | 5 | 7.8 |

Slovakia | 3.8 | 4.8 | 1.2 | 1.2 |

Finland | 16.7 | 18.2 | 7.6 | 9.2 |

Sweden | 32.7 | 40.3 | 10.8 | 11.7 |

United Kingdom | 44.3 | 42.6 | 9 | 10.6 |

Bulgaria | 3.9 | 2.7 | 3.1 | 1.6 |

Romania | 19.1 | 10.2 | 14.7 | 9.3 |

Eurostat, Labour Force Survey (LFS) - Spring results

Pay gap between women and men in unadjusted form in EU Member States - 2005 (Difference between men’s and women’s average gross hourly earnings as a percentage of men’s average gross hourly earnings)

2005 (1) |

EU (25 countries) | 15 |

Belgium | 6 |

Czech Republic | 19 |

Denmark | 17 |

Germany | 22 |

Estonia | 24 |

Greece | 9 |

Spain | 13 |

France | 12 |

Ireland | 11 |

Italy | 7 |

Cyprus | 25 |

Latvia | 17 |

Lithuania | 15 |

Luxembourg | 14 |

Hungary | 11 |

Malta | 4 |

Netherlands | 18 |

Austria | 18 |

Poland | 10 |

Portugal | 5 |

Slovenia | 8 |

Slovakia | 24 |

Finland | 19 |

Sweden | 16 |

United Kingdom | 20 |

Bulgaria | 16 |

Romania | 13 |

Source: Eurostat. Administrative data are used for LU, Labour Force Survey for FR and MT. Provisional results of EU-SILC (Statistics on Income and Living Conditions) are used for BE, EL, ES, IE, IT, AT, PT, and UK. All other sources are national surveys. SI: Provisional results.

Exception to the reference year: (1) 2004: BE, DK, EE, FI, IE, IT, PT

NB: EU25 estimates are population weighted-averages of the latest available values.

Educational attainment (at least upper secondary school) of women and men aged 20 - 24, in EU Member States – 2005

Women | Men |

EU (25 countries) | 80.3 | 74.7 |

Belgium | 85.3 | 78.4 |

Czech Republic | 91.1 | 91.3 |

Denmark | 80.5 | 73.8 |

Germany | 72.5 | 70.4 |

Estonia | 87.6 | 77.6 |

Greece | 88.5 | 79.7 |

Spain | 68.5 | 55.4 |

France | 85 | 80.1 |

Ireland | 88.9 | 82.6 |

Italy | 78.1 | 69.2 |

Cyprus | 89.1 | 71.1 |

Latvia | 85.2 | 74.7 |

Lithuania | 91.8 | 83.9 |

Luxembourg | 75.8 | 66.6 |

Hungary | 84.9 | 81.9 |

Malta | 57 | 50.5 |

Netherlands | 79.9 | 71.4 |

Austria | 87.3 | 84.6 |

Poland | 93.3 | 88.9 |

Portugal | 57.5 | 40.8 |

Slovenia | 93.2 | 88 |

Slovakia | 92.6 | 91 |

Finland | 85.7 | 81 |

Sweden | 88.7 | 86.4 |

United Kingdom | 78.9 | 77.4 |

Bulgaria | 77.1 | 75.9 |

Romania | 76.8 | 75.2 |

Source: Eurostat, Labour Force Survey (LFS), annual averages.

NB: IE: Provisional value. Students living abroad for one year or more and conscripts on compulsory military service are not covered by the EU Labour Force Survey, which may imply lower rates than those available at national level. This is especially relevant for CY.

Members of single/lower houses of national parliaments in EU Member States - Distribution by sex 2004 and 2006

2004 | 2006 |

Women | Men | Women | Men |

EU (25 countries) | 23 | 77 | 24 | 76 |

Belgium | 33 | 67 | 36 | 64 |

Czech Republic | 15 | 85 | 16 | 84 |

Denmark | 38 | 62 | 39 | 61 |

Germany | 32 | 68 | 33 | 67 |

Estonia | 15 | 85 | 20 | 80 |

Greece | 13 | 87 | 13 | 87 |

Spain | 35 | 65 | 36 | 64 |

France | 13 | 87 | 13 | 87 |

Ireland | 12 | 88 | 12 | 88 |

Italy | 12 | 88 | 17 | 83 |

Cyprus | 9 | 91 | 16 | 84 |

Latvia | 17 | 83 | 21 | 79 |

Lithuania | 22 | 78 | 23 | 77 |

Luxembourg | 24 | 76 | 24 | 76 |

Hungary | 9 | 91 | 10 | 90 |

Malta | 9 | 91 | 9 | 91 |

Netherlands | 38 | 62 | 39 | 61 |

Austria | 36 | 64 | 33 | 67 |

Poland | 21 | 79 | 19 | 81 |

Portugal | 20 | 80 | 25 | 75 |

Slovenia | 13 | 87 | 13 | 87 |

Slovakia | 17 | 83 | 21 | 79 |

Finland | 40 | 60 | 38 | 62 |

Sweden | 48 | 52 | 48 | 52 |

United Kingdom | 18 | 82 | 20 | 80 |

Bulgaria | : | : | 21 | 79 |

Romania | : | : | 11 | 89 |

Source: European Commission, Employment, Social affairs and Equal opportunities DG, Database on Women and Men in Decision making. NB: The indicator has been developed within the framework of the follow-up of the Beijing Platform for Action in the EU Council of Ministers.

Data for 2004 are not available for BG and RO.

Distribution of managers by sex in EU Member States – 2000 and 2005

2000 | 2005 |

Women | Men | Women | Men |

EU (25 countries) | 30.6 | 69.4 | 32.2 | 67.8 |

Belgium | 32.2 | 67.8 | 32.9 | 67.1 |

Czech Republic | 24.1 | 75.9 | 30.3 | 69.7 |

Denmark | 24.0 | 76.0 | 23.0 | 77.0 |

Germany | 27.1 | 72.9 | 26.3 | 73.7 |

Estonia | 39.8 | 60.2 | 37.5 | 62.5 |

Greece | 25.1 | 74.9 | 25.8 | 74.2 |

Spain | 31.7 | 68.3 | 32.3 | 67.7 |

France | 35.0 | 65.0 | 38.0 | 62.0 |

Ireland | 26.1 | 73.9 | 30.2 | 69.8 |

Italy | 17.3 | 82.7 | 31.9 | 68.1 |

Cyprus | 15.0 | 85.0 | 13.6 | 86.4 |

Latvia | 37.3 | 62.7 | 44.3 | 55.7 |

Lithuania | 43.1 | 56.9 | 42.7 | 57.3 |

Luxembourg | 27.1 | 72.9 | 23.8 | 76.2 |

Hungary | 33.1 | 66.9 | 34.3 | 65.7 |

Malta | 17.7 | 82.3 | 14.5 | 85.5 |

Netherlands | 25.3 | 74.7 | 25.6 | 74.4 |

Austria | 30.3 | 69.7 | 27.0 | 73.0 |

Poland | 32.7 | 67.3 | 32.5 | 67.5 |

Portugal | 31.3 | 68.7 | 34.2 | 65.8 |

Slovenia | 29.1 | 70.9 | 32.8 | 67.2 |

Slovakia | 30.8 | 69.2 | 31.2 | 68.8 |

Finland | 25.9 | 74.1 | 29.7 | 70.3 |

Sweden | 30.1 | 69.9 | 29.8 | 70.2 |

United Kingdom | 34.1 | 65.9 | 34.5 | 65.5 |

Bulgaria | 30.0 | 70.0 | 34.3 | 65.7 |

Romania | : | : | 30.7 | 69.3 |

Eurostat, Labour Force Survey (LFS), spring data

NB: Managers are persons classified in ISCO 12 and 13.

CY, MT: data lack reliability due to the small sample size. IT: change in data collection method.

Gender segregation in occupations and in economic sectors in EU Member States, in 2001 and 2005

Gender segregation in occupations | Gender segregation in economic sectors |

2001 | 2005 | 2001 | 2005 |

Belgium | 26.1 | 26.2 | 18.1 | 18.1 |

Czech Republic | 29.2 | 28.4 | 18.9 | 19.1 |

Denmark | 28.1 | 26.9 | 19 | 18.7 |

Germany | 27 | 26.5 | 18.2 | 18.2 |

Estonia | 32.4 | 30.8 | 24.4 | 23.7 |

Greece | 21.5 | 22.5 | 15.4 | 15.9 |

Spain | 24.9 | 26.6 | 19.3 | 20.4 |

France | 26.6 | 26.3 | 17.4 | 17.6 |

Ireland | 26.7 | 27.2 | 20.7 | 22.4 |

Italy | 21.9 | 23.9 | 15.2 | 17.9 |

Cyprus | 29.5 | 30.6 | 17.5 | 20.9 |

Latvia | 29.7 | 27.1 | 21 | 21 |

Lithuania | 28.4 | 27.4 | 20.8 | 22.4 |

Luxembourg | 26.8 | 26.4 | 19.6 | 17.4 |

Hungary | 28.3 | 28.4 | 19.3 | 19.8 |

Malta | 17.2 | 24.3 | 15.2 | 15.2 |

Netherlands | 25 | 26.2 | 18.1 | 17.5 |

Austria | 27.2 | 26 | 20.3 | 18.3 |

Poland | 25.6 | 25.5 | 13.9 | 19 |

Portugal | 26.3 | 25.9 | 21.2 | 20.5 |

Slovenia | 26.8 | 27.6 | 17.4 | 18.3 |

Slovakia | 31.2 | 29.5 | 22.8 | 22.4 |

Finland | 29.6 | 28.9 | 21.9 | 22.2 |

Sweden | 28 | 27.4 | 21.2 | 21.6 |

United Kingdom | 26.8 | 25.9 | 18.8 | 18.5 |

Bulgaria | 27.0 | 27.8 | 17.5 | 19.2 |

Romania | : | 22.3 | 13.8 | 15.0 |

Eurostat, Labour Force Survey (LFS) – Spring data

Gender segregation in sectors is calculated as the average national share of employment for women and men applied to each sector; differences are added up to produce the total amount of gender imbalance expressed as a proportion of total employment (NACE classification).

Gender segregation in occupations is calculated as the average national share of employment for women and men applied to each occupation; differences are added up to produce the total amount of gender imbalance expressed as a proportion of total employment (ISCO classification).

Employment rates of women and men (aged 25-49), depending on whether they have children (under 12) – 2005

Without children | With children | Difference |

Women | Men | Women | Men | Women | Men |

EU (25 countries) | 76 | 85.6 | 61.1 | 91.5 | -14.9 | 5.9 |

Belgium | 76.2 | 87.2 | 70.1 | 92.4 | -6.1 | 5.2 |

Czech Republic | 86.5 | 90.5 | 54.4 | 94 | -32.1 | 3.5 |

Germany | 78.9 | 82.3 | 55.7 | 89.2 | -23.2 | 6.9 |

Estonia | 87.8 | 82.8 | 59.4 | 91.4 | -28.4 | 8.6 |

Greece | 58.7 | 85.4 | 55.9 | 96.1 | -2.8 | 10.7 |

Spain | 66.5 | 89.7 | 56.5 | 93 | -10 | 3.3 |

France | 77.3 | 84.7 | 66.9 | 91.4 | -10.4 | 6.7 |

Italy | 64.7 | 90.6 | 53.4 | 93.8 | -11.3 | 3.2 |

Cyprus | 73.9 | 90.4 | 67.6 | 96.1 | -6.3 | 5.7 |

Latvia | 80.9 | 83 | 65.1 | 90.2 | -15.8 | 7.2 |

Lithuania | 83.9 | 87 | 77.3 | 90.4 | -6.6 | 3.4 |

Luxembourg | 76.6 | 93.7 | 63.7 | 97.2 | -12.9 | 3.5 |

Hungary | 78.9 | 82.7 | 48.5 | 86.2 | -30.4 | 3.5 |

Malta | 36.9 | 88.9 | 28 | 93.1 | -8.9 | 4.2 |

Netherlands | 81.5 | 88.1 | 71.3 | 94.1 | -10.2 | 6 |

Austria | 83.2 | 88.8 | 68.4 | 93.7 | -14.8 | 4.9 |

Poland | 71.5 | 80.4 | 60.5 | 87.2 | -11 | 6.8 |

Portugal | 77.3 | 90.6 | 76.6 | 94.5 | -0.7 | 3.9 |

Slovenia | 82.7 | 87.1 | 84.5 | 94.3 | 1.8 | 7.2 |

Slovakia | 79.6 | 85.4 | 55.7 | 87.7 | -23.9 | 2.3 |

Finland | 79.4 | 78.8 | 70 | 91.8 | -9.4 | 13 |

United Kingdom | 83.2 | 87.2 | 63.3 | 91.2 | -19.9 | 4 |

Bulgaria | 75.1 | 77.1 | 61.4 | 81.5 | -13.7 | 4.4 |

Romania | 70.4 | 83.1 | 64.6 | 86.2 | -5.8 | 3.1 |

Source : Eurostat, European Labour Force Survey, annual averages.

Notes: No data for DK, IE and SE.

At-risk-of-poverty rate after social transfers for older people (women and men aged 65 years and over) in EU Member States – 2003

Women | Men |

EU (25 countries) | 20 | 15 |

Belgium | 21 | 20 |

Denmark | 18 | 16 |

Germany | 18 | 10 |

Estonia | 22 | 7 |

Greece | 30 | 26 |

Spain | 32 | 27 |

France | 17 | 14 |

Ireland | 45 | 34 |

Italy | 18 | 13 |

Cyprus | 55 | 48 |

Latvia | 17 | 7 |

Lithuania | 15 | 5 |

Luxembourg | 6 | 6 |

Hungary | 12 | 6 |

Netherlands | 7 | 6 |

Austria | 20 | 13 |

Poland | 7 | 4 |

Portugal | 30 | 29 |

Slovenia | 23 | 11 |

Slovakia | 11 | 11 |

Finland | 20 | 11 |

Sweden | 18 | 9 |

United Kingdom | 27 | 21 |

Source: Eurostat. SILC and national sources.

NB: 1) At risk of poverty rate for elderly persons: The share of persons aged 65+ with an income below the risk-of-poverty threshold, which is set at 60% of the national median income. Income must be understood as equivalised disposable income (sum from all sources, adjusted for household size and composition). Gender breakdown is based on assumption of equal sharing of resources within household. It should be noted that the data is drawn from the reference European source (EU-SILC) where available, but that during the transition to data collection under the EU-SILC regulations, ex post harmonised national sources are still used for around half of the countries. In consequence, whilst every effort has been made, for this reason indicators cannot be considered to be fully comparable

EU aggregates are computed as population weighted averages of available national values. Data is presented for income reference year 2003. No data is available for CZ or MT for this reference year. NL and SK : provisional values.

Average age of women at birth of first child - 2000 and 2004

2000 | 2004 |

EU (25 countries) | 27.7 | 28.3 |

Czech Republic | 25.0 | 26.3 |

Denmark | 27.7 | 28.4 |

Germany | 28.2 | 28.8 |

Estonia | 24.0 | 24.8 |

Greece | 28.0 | 28.0 |

Spain | 29.1 | 29.2 |

France | 27.9 | 28.4 |

Ireland | 27.6 | 28.0 |

Cyprus | 26.2 | 27.2 |

Latvia | 24.4 | 24.7 |

Lithuania | 23.9 | 24.8 |

Luxembourg | 28.4 | 28.7 |

Hungary | 25.1 | 26.3 |

Netherlands | 28.6 | 28.9 |

Austria | 26.4 | 27.0 |

Poland | 24.5 | 25.5 |

Portugal | 26.5 | 27.1 |

Slovenia | 26.5 | 27.5 |

Slovakia | 24.2 | 25.3 |

Finland | 27.4 | 27.8 |

Sweden | 27.9 | 28.6 |

United Kingdom | 29.1 | 29.7 |

Bulgaria | 23.5 | 24.4 |

Romania | 23.6 | 24.5 |

Source: Eurostat, Demography statistics.

NB: No data available for BE, IT and MT for both years. UK: Scotland and Northern Ireland not included

For DE, LU, UK and BG: birth order of current marriage: the comparability with other countries is limited.

Exceptions to the reference years:

(1) DE, EE, EL and ES: 2003.

[1] COM (2006) 92 finali.

[2] Il-Konklużjonijiet tal-Presidenza, 7775/1/06/ REV 1.

[3] Il-provvediment ta’ servizzi ta’ babysitting għal 33% tat-tfal ta’ bejn 0 u 3 snin u 90% tat-tfal ta’ 3 snin sa l-età ta’ skola obbligatorja għall-2010.

[4] COM (2006) 571 finali.

[5] SEC(2006)1245

[6] Id-Direttivi 92/85/KEE u 96/34/KE

[7] Id-Direttiva 2006/54/KE

[8] Id-Direttiva 2002/73/KE

[9] Ir-Regolament (KE) 1922/2006.

[10] B’mod partikolari r-Regolamenti (KE) 1081/2006 u 1083/2006.

[11] Id-Deċiżjoni tal-Kunsill 2006/702/KE.

[12] L-Artikolu 16 tar-Regolament (KE) 1083/2006.

[13] L-Artikolu 8 tar-Regolament (KE) 1698/2005.

[14] Id-Deċiżjoni Nru 1672/2006/KE tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill ta’ l-24 ta’ Ottubru 2006.

[15] Imsejjes fuq id-dokument 6801/96 tal-Kunsill tas-27.02.2006.

[16] COM (2006) 437 finali.

[17] It-tbassiriet imwettqa mill-Kummissjoni Ewropea jindikaw li r-rata ta’ impjieg tan-nisa se jkompli jiżdied biex jilħaq is-65% fl-2025 u li wara se jistabbilixxi ruħu f’dan il-livell. Ikkonsulta http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/european_economy/2006/eesp106en.pdf

[18] Id-diskrepanza li għandha x’taqsam mal-paga kull siegħa gross medja bejn l-irġiel u n-nisa.

[19] Li l-parti l-kbira tagħhom huma nisa.

[20] Politiki li għandhom l-għan li jagħmlu flessibbli s-suq tax-xogħol kif ukoll li jsaħħu s-sigurtà ta' l-impjieg.

[21] L-Artikolu 11 u 16 tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) 1083/2006 u l-Artikoli 6 u 8 tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) 1698/2005.

[22] Il-Punt 1 ta’ l-orjentazzjonijiet strateġiċi Komunitarji.

[23] Il-Punt 1.3.1 ta’ l-orjentazzjonijiet strateġiċi Komunitarji.

[24] Il-Punt 1.2.4 ta’ l-orjentazzjonijiet strateġiċi Komunitarji.

[25] Il-Punt 1.3.1 ta’ l-orjentazzjonijiet strateġiċi Komunitarji.

[26] L-Artikolu 8a tad-Direttiva 2002/73/KE tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill tat-23 ta’ Settembru 2002.