Gender Policies in the European Union

Abstract

This chapter explores the gender equality elements of the social policy agenda of the EU. Gender equality is a fundamental right, a common value of the EU, and a necessary condition for the achievement of the EU objectives of growth, employment and social cohesion. The European Economic Community was established by the Treaty of Rome to maintain peace in Europe and to foster prosperity through cooperation. Gender policies have expanded to tackle different barriers to women's equal opportunities, from childcare and parental leave, to harassment at work and the reversal of the burden of proof of discrimination from employees to employers. In 1991 a Recommendation on Sexual Harassment was issued, defining it as sex discrimination that limits women's labour force participation and in 1992 the Recommendation on Childcare was adopted. The aim of the new Social Policy Agenda is to strengthen the role of social policy as a productive factor, to changing work patterns, family structures and persistent gender inequalities.

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