Key issues to strengthen gender equality in Europe

Key messages

Increasing women’s active participation in the labour market is key to promote gender equality. To achieve this, it is essential for Member States to increase and ensure better availability, affordability and quality of care facilities, in particular for children, but also for elderly and other dependant relatives, according to the needs in each country. Member states should assess the functioning of their labour markets and welfare systems, to make sure that women and men have equal opportunities to work.
Advancing gender equality requires tackling gender segregation, as well as breaking down gender stereotypes. Gender stereotypes have, in fact, a strong influence on the existing division of labour between men and women, both in the family, in the workplace and in society at large. These factors may narrow women’s career perspectives and thus contribute to inequalities in society.
Moving towards greater gender equality in labour markets, politics, and any other sectors of society calls for changing attitudes and beliefs in society. Policy-makers and social partners should work together to ensure that education systems promote gender equality, to raise public awareness regarding the impact of gender stereotypes, and to promote a positive narrative in which men and women can both grasp economic opportunities.

Increase women’s employment rate in Europe and remove obstacles to women’s participation in the labour market.
Support policy responses that are balanced, including the aspiration of all stakeholders to make progress.
Promote a fact-based debate on the gender pay gap and its true causes