The role of the European Parliament in supporting gender equality policies at work

Abstract

One of the aims of the European Union is to achieve the equality between women and men. Since the signing of the Treaty of Rome in 1957, the principle of equality on treatment has become a rising value in the countries of the Union and since then, policies have been adopted to mitigate discrimination based on sex. The parliament's role on support to the equality policies takes the form of actions aimed at strengthening the principle of equality on treatment and equal opportunities between women and men in the territory of the Union. The European Parliament has always been an avid defender of the principle of equality between women and men, although, inequalities persist, i.e., women continue to occupy a higher percentage in lower paid work sectors and are underrepresented in positions of responsibility. In this article we will analyze some specific measures aimed at eliminating inequalities between men and women in the workplace, to achieve among other issues, the reconciliation of family and professional life of male and female workers, reduce the gender gap, women's access to education in the field of science and in the sectors of information and communication technologies, as well as to senior management positions.