Women: Europe needs more gender equality in decision-making.

"I am delighted that the European Parliament has supported the Report today", said Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP, Rapporteur of the Report Women in Political Decision-Making for the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee.

Ms Pietikäinen said that the Parliament and other EU Institutions should show a good example so that the decisions the EU makes on gender equality can be credible. "The proportion of women in political decision-making has not grown in recent years and in some decision-making bodies, it has even begun to decline. The result of this vote shows that the Parliament has the political will to take active measures to increase equality", noted the Rapporteur.

Although the equal participation of women and men in power and decision-making is strongly promoted, women are still highly under-represented across Europe, especially in political assemblies. In fact, women constitute only 24% of the members in the EU's national parliaments.

"I wish to see equal representation of men and women for each leading position of the Parliament as I wish to see both sexes apply for the top posts of the EU. I also wish to see each Member State nominate a male and female candidate for election as European Commissioner", continued Ms Pietikäinen.

"The equal representation of women and men is not only a question of equality, but also a question of quality. The larger the group of elected decision-makers, the more diverse the group is and therefore is more likely to have more broad and balanced outcomes."