European Trade Union Committee for Education

The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) published the report on Gender Equality in Power and Decision-Making in December 2015. The report evaluates the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action from 2003 to 2014 and describes foreseen trends of women in political, social and economic decision-making positions. In the first chapter the report evaluates the supporting and hindering factors and the policy development at EU and member state level regarding the gap between women and men in decision-making positions.

The second chapter reviews the indicators for gender equality, analysing areas such as public administration, social partner organisations and academic and research organisations. Generally speaking, the trend slowly moves towards gender equality in most of the sectors. Nevertheless, the report mentions multiple factors which hinder the equality and which are difficult to overcome, such as gender stereotypes and the design of electoral systems.

In the public sector the number of women in leadership position is increasing, although the trend shows that women tend to rather work in social and cultural areas. From 2007 to 2014 especially the number of women in level 2 positions (the level below the state secretary) has increased in most of the ministries of the member states. In social partner organisations women tend to be underrepresented both at European and national level. The comparison between the European and national level shows that the number of women at European level are higher than at national level. At national level the number of women in trade unions in the highest decision-making bodies amounts to 27% and in employers’ organisations to 14 %. In research institutions the gap between women and men is the highest in Grade A positions (posts at which research is normally conducted) – only 20% women work in these positions, although women constitute half of the university graduates in Europe. On average in the EU only 10% of the leading positions of universities are filled by women.

The report concludes that ‘despite high political visibility, extensive debates and numerous targeted actions to address gender imbalances in decision-making since 2010, the rate of progress in most Member States is generally slow.’ The report gives several recommendations, concerning the promotion of legislative initiatives, the improvement of the work-life balance and the importance to fight gender stereotypes in all policy areas.

The report confirms the results of ETUCE’s research that ETUCE and its member organisations need  to continue their effort both in the public sector of education as well as within the trade union structures to promote gender equality in power and decision-making positions.

To read the complete report, please click here.