Social affairs ministers reaffirm commitment to eliminate sex discrimination

Meeting in Austria on 8-10 July 1998, EU social affairs ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a "mainstreaming" policy in order to achieve greater equality of opportunity between men and women in all areas of life.

Ministers responsible for labour, social affairs and women's equality from the 15 Member States of the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to end sexual discrimination at the workplace at an informal meeting on 8-10 July in Innsbruck, Austria.

This affirmation was made in the context of the disproportionate impact of unemployment upon women, and also derives from a concern voiced by the member of the European Commission responsible for social affairs, Pádraig Flynn, that the National Action Plans for employment (EU9806109F), produced in response to the EU Employment Guidelines for 1998, are insufficient for resolving the issue of equality of opportunity. According to Mr Flynn, the 1999 Employment Guidelines must take greater account of the equal opportunities dimension, as growth rates in employment in Europe, "depend to a considerable degree on a far wider participation of women in active life". The commissioner has highlighted that this concern is not only based upon social justice but also entails an economic imperative.

The policy of gender "mainstreaming" is seen to constitute an important step towards achieving the goal of ending discrimination, as it entails the integration of a gender dimension in all political decisions. This policy entails a more inclusive approach in comparison with measures that call for positive discrimination, as it promotes policies that are aimed at both men and women. For example, the Austrian minister responsible for women's rights, Barbara Prammer, highlighted the low take-up by men of parental leave, as specified in the 1996 EU Directive (TN9801201S). Several meetings over the remainder of 1998 will be devoted to employment and will incorporate the issue of equality of opportunity.