Commissioner designates hearings – statements on Gender Equality
On the 1st of October, hearings were held with Commissioner designates Ms Marianne Thyssen (DG Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility) and Ms Vera Jourová (DG Justice, Consumers and Gender equality).
During three hours members of the European parliament were invited to ask questions to the Commissioner designates on the work of their coming mandate.
The fact that Gender Equality is explicitly mentioned in the title of the Commissioner, is a novelty and a strong political message.
Ms Jourová expressed her commitment to gender equality and gave the following statements:
- The EU Strategy for Equality between Women and Men: expressed her will to renew and strengthen the strategy
- Women on Boards Directive: expressed her will to put it back on the agenda with a view to its adoption in 2015.
- Violence against women: encouraged all Member States to ratify the Istanbul Convention and also by the European Commission.
- Poverty and gender equality: Ms Jourová expressed her concerns on the recent trends of women living in precarious conditions
- Post 2015 Sustainable Development goals: supports a separate goal on gender equality
- Maternity Leave Directive: stated her commitment to continue the negotiations with Member States. The Maternity Leave Directive was also supported by Ms Marianne Thyssen – Commissioner designates (DG Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility).
- Employment and Gender pay gap: Ms Marianne Thyssen also stated she would push for measurements to promote women’s employment and tackle the gender pay and pension gaps.
For more information please consult:
- Article from European Women’s Lobby, link.
- Article from “Le portail de référence pour l’espace de liberté, sécurité et justice », link.
- Website DG (DG Justice) link.
- Website (DG Employment, Social Affairs, Inclusion) link.