One of Europe’s fundamental principles is the promotion of gender equality between citizens. The Treaty of the European Union obliges Member States to promote equality between women and men. The issue of gender discrimination has been with us for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. It is consequently easy to understand why European governments, as well as national equality bodies around the continent, have taken it in their stride to find ways and means of suppressing and curbing prejudice between men and women.
EC legislation, through Directive 2002/73 EC, enhanced the protection of workers against gender discrimination and set out a clearer definition of discrimination. It also sets out a legal obligation to carry out gender mainstreaming.
A recent report published by the European Commission identifies the main problems and good practices to implement this directive. It goes into detail with regards to the promotion of equal treatment for men and women in access to employment, vocational training and promotion, as well as working conditions.
The report also puts pressure on national bodies, such as the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality in Malta, to become more responsible in furthering equality, particularly in helping out victims of discrimination who might feel more comfortable seeking help from an equality body than instituting traditional legal proceedings. A number of Legal Notices of the 2007 Employment and Industrial Relations Act (CAP 452) have transposed Directive 2002/73/EC into Maltese Law.
The report adds note to the fact that there is an acute diversity of approaches between EU Member States’ trade unions, employers and NGOs that promote equality. As was recently stated by Vladimír Špidla, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, “The involvement of all actors - the authorities, social partners, NGOs, equality bodies and society at large - is essential if we are to make effective use of the tools to eradicate discrimination provided for in this directive. In the current economic situation it is more important than ever to use all the human potential available in society.”
A Eurobarometer survey published in January 2007 revealed that gender-based discrimination is experienced by an average of 40 per cent. Malta, together with Italy France and Cyprus, was among those Member States where the rate was above average. A large majority of the EU population is of the opinion that more women are needed in management positions and as members of Parliament. The report, which analysed all the key problems of gender discrimination, also encourages Member States to modernise the rules on equal treatment of men and women both in all the related areas concerned.
Brenda Azzopardi is Research Analyst at MEUSAC