European Union gender equality strategy

KEY POINTS

The European Union’s (EU) gender equality strategy aims to achieve a gender equal Europe, free of gender-based violence, sex discrimination and structural inequality between men and women. A dual approach will be taken in implementing the strategy, which includes:

• targeted measures to achieve gender equality; combined with
• gender mainstreaming to strengthen the integration of a gender perspective in all EU policies and major initiatives.

Key objectives and actions

The strategy sets out the key objectives and accompanying actions to be carried out by the Commission, the Council of the European Union and the EU Member States.

1. Combating gender-based violence and stereotypes. Key actions include:
   • acceding to the Council of Europe convention – the Istanbul Convention – on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence;
   • an EU-wide communication campaign against gender stereotypes.
2. A thriving gender equal economy by addressing issues such as the gender pay gap. Key actions include:
   • ensuring the implementation of Directive (EU) 2019/1158 on work–life balance (see summary);
   • proposal to revise the Barcelona targets on early childhood education and care to ensure further upwards convergence among Member States.
3. Equal leadership opportunities in decision-making and politics. Key actions include:
   • pushing for the adoption of a directive on improving gender balance on corporate boards;
   • facilitating the exchange of good practices addressing gender balance in executive boards and managerial positions.
4. Enhancing EU gender policy externally. Key actions include:
   • launching the third action plan on gender equality and women’s empowerment in external relations;
   • adopting the action plan on human rights and democracy (2020–2024).

Gender mainstreaming and ensuring an intersectional perspective in EU decision-making

The Commission will integrate a gender perspective into all its major initiatives, helped by the appointment of the first Commissioner for Equality, as a stand-alone portfolio, and by creating a task force for equality.

Gender equality in funding

The Commission’s proposal for the 2021–2027 multiannual financial framework supports various gender equality issues, including:

• women’s labour-market participation and work–life balance;
• investment in care facilities; and
• support for female entrepreneurship.

Funding is provided through various EU funding and budgetary guarantee instruments, including:

• the European Social Fund Plus (see summary);
• the European Regional Development Fund (see summary); and
• the creative Europe programme (see summary).

Dedicated funding for projects benefiting civil-society organisations and public institutions that implement specific actions, including preventing and combating gender-based violence, will be available through the citizens, equality, rights and values programme.