International Women's Day: still a long way to go to reach gender equality

Each year, on 8 March, International Women’s Day is an occasion to take stock of the situation of women in the world. Every time, the conclusion is pretty much the same: there is still a long way to go to reach true gender equality. Everywhere in the world, women are still victims of violence and discrimination. Even in Europe, the room for improvement is enormous, especially in the professional environment.

Discrimination against women at the recruitment phase

When recruiting women, what are the most important criteria to apply? “Whether she has children or not, her availability and her physical appearance”: this sounds like a bad joke, but it is actually the answer most employers gave when asked this question, according to the most recent Eurobarometer on gender inequalities.

When men are being employed, on the other hand, those criteria are professional experience, qualification and availability.

If anyone was still having doubts about how deeply-rooted the prejudices towards women are in a professional environment, and how persistently they affect women’s situation at work, this should put an end to these thoughts.

The economic crisis aggravates women's employment situation

The economic crisis is yet another obstacle that adds to women’s burdens.

“Although unemployment rates for men and women are comparable, the crisis affects women differently. Women are confronted with a silent and pernicious crisis which aggravates and weakens their situation,” explains Elisabeth Morin-Chartier MEP, who has written a Report on the impact of the economic crisis on gender equality and women’s rights, to be voted this week in plenary.

Before the economic and financial crisis, unemployment, precarious work, part-time work, low salaries and slow career paths already affected women more than men. The economic crisis has reinforced this trend, increasing the risk of social exclusion and of poverty for women.

The rise in compulsory part-time working, and in the number of temporary or fixed-term jobs to the detriment of more stable employment affects them more than men. They also suffer more from the effects of austerity policies such as cuts in public service staff (the majority of public service staff being women) and cutbacks in social expenses (family, maternity allowances, childcare services).

What is more, female youth unemployment increased from 18.8 % in 2009 to 20.8 % in 2011. The situation of 'disadvantaged' groups of women, including, amongst others, women with disabilities, immigrant women, women belonging to ethnic minorities, women with few qualifications, women who are unemployed long-term, single mothers, women without livelihoods and women caring for dependents, is even more worrying.

European Parliament's proposals to reach gender equality

For Elisabeth Morin-Chartier, "we must continue to fight vigorously against all stereotypes in women's work, such as the idea that women's unemployment is less dramatic than men's. Last but not least, the persistent wage gap of nearly 17% (equivalent to 59 working days!) is an absolute scandal in 21^st-century Europe”. 

That is why, in adopting her resolution, MEPs call on the European Commission to submit, as soon as possible, a proposal for a directive setting out measures for overcoming the gender pay gap for equal or equivalent work.

Along with other demands, they call on the Member States and the EU institutions to undertake gender impact assessment when planning austerity measures, so as to ensure that their effects are as gender-neutral as possible, and to introduce gender budgeting in order to analyse government programmes and policies, their effects on resource allocation and their contribution to equality between women and men.

"When economic recovery takes off, qualified staff will be greatly needed. Young women, who on average are better educated than men as 60% of university graduates are women, are a great pool of competences. They will be our best weapons for ensuring the competitiveness of our companies, who would be well advised not to do without them," Elisabeth Morin-Chartier underlines.

What's next?

Morin-Chartier's resolution will be submitted to a vote by the whole European Parliament at its plenary session on 12 March.