Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2007-09-27-Speech-4-050"
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"en.20070927.4.4-050"2
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"Mr President, we are celebrating both the 50
anniversary of the founding treaty of a United Europe and 50 years of progress in guaranteeing equality between men and women. The culmination of the latter is the horizontal reference to this in all spheres of action of the European Commission and of dialogue with civil society.
Hidden inequalities between men and women continue to exist in the policies and practices of the EU Member States. We need analysis and assessment of the negative circumstances that give rise to these inequalities. The report by my dear colleague, Mrs Kauppi, whom I congratulate, lists many actions to counter partial discrimination against women.
I would like particularly to emphasise the measures to promote equal participation by men and women in support of the family as a basic factor in economic development, prosperity and the social cohesion of the EU. Gender equality ought to benefit those women who voluntarily wish to remain at home, for a long or a short time, in order to look after children, the elderly and dependants. The fact that these women have been out of work should not expose them to discrimination over pensions and social welfare rights.
Commissioner, I am very disappointed with the position of Greek women. According to press reports, you have brought infringement proceedings against my country to eliminate the more flexible age conditions applying to women. Why cannot an early award of pensions for daughters and mothers be an exchange for what they contribute to their families?
Equality – yes, Commissioner, but not balance. The Member States, the EU and the social partners can make good use of the newly-created European Alliance for Families: best practices and pioneering approaches for policies that are family-friendly can be promoted. They will keep pace with national policies and thus promote equality.
The EU’s demographic problem demands that equal opportunities be granted to men and women. With regard to parental leave, the relevant directive agreed upon solely between the Commission and the social partners requires revision, and you have promised, Commissioner, that this revision will take place in 2008.
However, a commitment by the private sector to employ young women and with regard to the sacking of young mothers is also required. The productivity and development of the EU, Commissioner, require the creation of a mechanism to monitor discrimination of this kind. We hope that you will take immediate action."@en1
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