Established less than a year after the launch of the road map for equality between men and women 2006-2010, the 2007 work programme presents the main outcomes of 2006 and the envisaged actions for 2007 for the six priority areas:
- achieving equal economic independence for women and men;
- enhancing reconciliation of work, private and family life;
- promoting equal participation of women and men in decision-making;
- eradicating gender-based violence and trafficking;
- eliminating gender sterotypes in society;
- promoting gender equality outside the EU.
According to the Commission working paper, the adoption of the road map has given a strategic framework to the realisation of Commission actions on equality between men and women. Most of the actions proposed were launched in 2006. The European Pact for Gender Equality demonstrates the commitment at the highest political level in the Member States to increase efforts to achieve gender equality in partnership with the Commission.
The report shows that progress has been made to promote equality into different EU policies, the Lisbon Strategy and the open method of coordination. Considerable progress has also been made to include the gender dimension in the new programmes covered by the 2007-2013 financial perspectives as well as in those concerning freedom, justice and security.
In the context of the Euro Mediterranean Partnership, the adoption of ministerial conclusions and an action framework strengthens the role of women in the Mediterranean society which acts as an important political commitment.
Lastly, the regulation concerning the setting up of the Institute for Gender Equality Institute was adopted in 2006.
In 2007, the Commission will continue with the actions set out and will launch new actions such as:
- the setting up of the Institute for Gender Equality will be a priority as will the European Pact for Gender Equality, aimed at enhancing women’s participation in the labour market - particularly in terms of job quality -, fostering measures to improve work-life balance for women and men, and promoting gender equality. The Pact should build on already existing objectives, targets and instruments within the Lisbon process;
- gender equality will be take into account in the implementation of the cohesion policy programmes 2007-2013 cofinanced by the structural funds;
- actions set out in the road map will be supported by the “Progress” programme as regards education and training, the 7th Research Framework Programme, the programme for innovation and competitiveness, the Daphne III, and the new instrument promoting human rights and democracy;
- gender issues will be taken into account in the EU strategy for sustainable development;
2007 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and community policy on gender equality. This will also be the year for Equality of All. Every opportunity should be seized to promote gender equality.