Not just flowers

Not just mimosas. This is the indication coming from the EU’s in Brussels and Strasbourg during the hundredth anniversary of the International Women’s Day (although assessments on historical date of origin differs). On the eve and throughout March 8 various legislative initiatives, action proposals, statistic data and opinion polls have been put forward to “shape” a celebration “not only based on window dressing”. A commitment to action.A “Charter” to conform to. In view of March 8th, the EU Commission adopted a “Women’s Charter” to safeguard women’s rights and fight against any type of inequality and violence inside or outside the EU. “This Charter represents the Executive’s commitment to gender equality in the EU – said president Manuel Barroso -. Women and men still suffer due to widespread inequality, with consequences on economic and social cohesion, sustainable growth and competitiveness, and the ageing European population. It is important to include a strong gender dimension in the Europe 2020 strategy” on which the Commission is working together with the Council and the European Parliament. The Charter is a “political declaration aimed at five key areas for action and commits the Commission to building a gender perspective into all its policies”. The Commission promotes equality in the labour market (salaries, assessments, career enhancements) economic independence for women and men, “dignity, integrity and an end to gender-based violence “, focused on social and civil issues, equal opportunities between men and women outside the EU.Dignity, integrity, the right to life. Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, said it paves the way “to a comprehensive and effective policy framework to combat gender-based violence” that “is a violation of fundamental rights, in particular human dignity, the right to life and the right to the integrity of the person”. “I will ensure that strong measures on eradication of female genital mutilation are part of the strategy”. In mid-2010 the Commission will present a new “strategy”, with different provisions and guidelines, “to make gender equality” “concrete and effective”. Viviane Reding herself talked about the new Eurobarometer survey on gender equality that shows that “62% of Europeans believe that gender inequality still exists in many areas of society”. “Europeans’ top two priorities for action in this field are tackling violence against women and closing the gender pay gap”. The survey revealed that in Europe there is 18% pay gap between men and women holding the same job position. “To reduce this gap, the Commission wants to make employers aware of the situation, encourage equal opportunity initiatives and support development of gender pay-gap measurement tools”. Reding herself presented a list of possible action to be taken in this field. More children, less taxes. The EU is also keeping an eye on the Eurostat’s numbers on demography, social issues and jobs. The statistical office of the European Union, for example, revealed that the unemployment rate today is slightly lower for women (9.3%) than for men (9.6%): the effects of the current economic crisis on the labour market have been stronger in sectors such as construction and manufacturing leading to job losses among men. Less job losses were registered in offices or plants where women work with less responsibilities and lower salaries. The survey released on March 8 shows how women overall use internet to communicate or gather information less than men. The survey also highlighted the different education level between women and men, their presence in top positions in enterprises, universities, newspapers or the political sector (local administration, parliament and government). Data show that, notwithstanding the last decade’s efforts, there are still differences and discrimination. Jerzy Buzek, President of the Euro-parliament commented in Strasbourg: “March 8 is not just an opportunity to offer flowers to women: today we must speak of equal rights and opportunities”. “Today – he pointed out – we must pay tribute to those who have a broader, often more discreet, influence in our life”. “I’m in favour of a system of taxation where families with more children pay less taxes”.