Campaign for greater equality between sexes in decision-making

Date: 30/11/1995

By Michael Mann

SOCIAL Affairs Commissioner Pádraig Flynn this week called on EU governments to renew their efforts to achieve real equality between men and women in vital areas of decision-making.

Coming hot on the heels of Flynn's recommendation for more explicit action in favour of women to be written into the Maastricht Treaty, the Commission's recommendation calls for new laws or incentives to improve gender balance in government, the public and private sectors and the media.

The Commission drew up its paper as a direct response to a request from ministers in March of this year. Launching the initiative, Flynn claimed that “the scarcity of women in the circles where collective decisions are prepared or taken can be a major cause of inequality and inflexibility”.

Among a range of ideas, member states are being asked to develop equal opportunities plans for the civil service and to ensure that men and women are equally represented on selection boards.

The Commission accepts that in the private sector and the media, governments will have to limit themselves to encouraging companies to promote balanced participation.

Aside from regulatory measures, the Commission stresses the importance of collecting reliable statistics on how much progress has already been made.

Governments will also be encouraged to underline examples of good practice, improve education, discourage stereotyping in the media and devise public information campaigns on the advantages of a more balanced society.