MEPs call for actions & targets on closing the gender pay gap
The European Parliament welcomed the positive measures included in the EU’s new Gender Equality Strategy. However, it calls for additional actions and specific and binding targets for 2025, in order to close the gender pay gap.
In their recent report adopted by 464 votes in favour, 119 against and 93 abstentions, MEPs describe the Commission’s 2020-2025 Gender Equality Strategy as ambitious, but regret that it lacks defined targets to be reached by 2025 and clear monitoring tools.
In order to bridge the gender pay gap, MEPs urge the European Commission to define binding measures on pay transparency as soon as possible.
In the context of the pandemic, MEPs highlight that 70% of the global health and social workforce are women, often paid the minimum salary. They call for wages and working conditions in strongly female-dominated sectors such as care, health and retail sales to be levelled up.
MEPs also express their deep concern over the backlash against women’s rights in some member states. In this context, they call for the state of women’s rights and gender equality to be monitored continuously, including disinformation and regressive initiatives in all member states, and for an alarm system to highlight when rights are taken away.
“Today the European Parliament puts gender equality back on the agenda. We say ‘yes’ to a gender equal society and ‘no’ to violence against women and girls of all backgrounds. If nothing changes in the EU, it will take more than 65 years to achieve gender equality. The Gender Equality Strategy and its proposed actions are a faster route to equality between men and women. It also strengthens our position on the backlash against women’s rights taking place in several member states. Rule of law in Europe can only exist with gender equality – without it, democracy is lagging behind”, said the rapporteur, Maria Noichl.
The Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025, presented in March 2020 by the European Commission, outlines a set of actions including ending gender-based violence and stereotypes, ensuring equal participation and opportunities in the labour market and achieving gender balance in decision-making and politics.
Moonshot News is an independent European news website for all IT, Media and Advertising professionals, powered by women and with a focus on driving the narrative for diversity, inclusion and gender equality in the industry.
Our mission is to provide top and unbiased information for all professionals and to make sure that women get their fair share of voice in the news and in the spotlight!
We produce original content, news articles, a curated calendar of industry events and a database of women IT, Media and Advertising associations.
