This document is the second work programme since the adoption of the Road Map on gender equality for the period 2006-2010. It presents the main conclusions from the Commission for 2007 and its commitments for 2008.
Main conclusions and guidelines for 2008
Undeniable progress has been made 18 months after the adoption of the Road Map. The Commission supported the Member States’ capacity to take account of gender equality in their policies. In the context of the Lisbon Strategy and the open method of coordination in the field of social protection and social inclusion, Member States have developed their tools which aim to integrate gender equality issues. These actions have been strengthened by more specific measures aimed to promote female entrepreneurship. The promotion of female participation in the workplace has been enhanced due to a better conciliation between professional and family and private life. This promotion has been noted in key sectors such as scientific research and the information society. Actions concerned the position of women in the decision-making process in education programmes and in the field of information society. New policy cohesion operational programmes incorporated the objectives set out in the Road Map.
The European Union’s external policy has continued to promote the role of women in development cooperation, humanitarian aid, international organisations, and negotiations with partner countries, the Euro-Mediterranean partners, neighbourhood policy and external trade.
50 years of Community legislation in the field of equality was celebrated in 2007.
The European Year of Equality for All gave a boost to equality and to actions aiming to fight against multiple discrimination to which women are often victims.
The Road Map set out a coherent framework for all the Commission’s commitments in the field of gender equality.
However, the analysis of actions carried out show that the integration of gender equality issues varies according to the policies. Policies are not always neutral as regards men and women. More effort should be made in areas where gender equality is not traditionally considered important.
In order to reinforce the Union’s commitments to reduce gender inequality, it is important to raise awareness among the participating parties. Gender equality should reinforced in the drafting and in the monitoring of policies, in particular by providing greater support to the implementation of impact assessments according to gender and by examining the possibilities of considering the gender dimension in the budgetary process.
The services are invited to make actions more visible in policy areas, notably in view of the report which will be carried out in 2008 on the state of implementation of the Road Map.