About EIGE
Who are we?
The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) was set up in 2010 to strengthen and promote gender equality across the EU.
With 10 years’ experience in collecting data, conducting research and developing resources, EIGE has become the EU’s knowledge centre for gender equality.
What do we do?
We are working to make equality between women and men a reality in the EU and beyond. We want everyone to have the same opportunities, regardless of gender.
EIGE’s research paves the way for a greater understanding and awareness of gender equality in all areas of life.
We identify gaps between women and men and collect and analyse data on gender inequalities. By providing evidence-based, practical information, we support policymakers to bring the EU closer to gender equality and improve the lives of both women and men.
Why does gender equality matter?
We are still at least 60 years away from reaching complete gender equality at the current pace of progress. Our Gender Equality Index shows that the EU is improving, but only at a snail’s pace.
There have been small, steady gains every year but the coronavirus pandemic poses a threat to gender equality progress. More than ever, policymakers will need to use EIGE’s data, evidence and resources to design and implement inclusive solutions that promote gender equality in our society, both during and after the pandemic.
What do we work on?
Gender Equality Index
The Gender Equality Index is an important policymaking tool to measure the progress of gender equality in the EU over time. Each year, it gives the EU and its Member States a score from 1 to 100. A score of 100 would mean that a country had reached full equality between women and men.
The scores are based on the gaps between women and men and levels of achievement in six core domains: work, money, knowledge, time, power and health, and their sub-domains. The index includes two additional domains: violence against women and intersecting inequalities. The analysis of intersecting inequalities examines how factors such as disability, age, level of education, country of birth and family type intersect with gender to create different pathways in women’s and men’s lives.
The index gives visibility to areas that need improvement by providing a detailed analysis at EU and national levels for policymakers.
You can compare the results over time and see where your country stands on our website.
Explore the Gender Equality Index
Gender mainstreaming
Our Gender Mainstreaming Platform contains all the information and resources you need to integrate gender into your work. The platform highlights gender challenges in 21 policy areas, ranging from the environment to culture. We also give recommendations on how to best address these challenges.
We have developed many practical tools to help you integrate a gender perspective into all stages of policymaking and strategic planning. Our step-by-step toolkits will guide you through the process of preparing, designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating policies, regulatory measures and budget spending programmes. They will help your organisation to become more gender-equal.
Explore the Gender Mainstreaming Platform
Gender-based violence
Gender-based violence is both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality. Therefore, providing resources to put an end to it is an important part of our work. We provide research, statistics and expertise to help understand the problem and the way it affects our societies. We have carried out a broad range of groundbreaking studies on gender-based violence in Europe.
How much do we all pay to deal with violence? Why do we need to improve data collection from the police and justice sectors? Is female genital mutilation a problem in the European Union? Is cyber-violence a real threat? You will find answers to these and many other questions in our research.
See EIGE’s work on gender-based violence
Gender Statistics Database
How many women are members on the board of the public broadcaster in Portugal? What is the balance of women and men on environment-related committees in the European Parliament? Just how big is the population of women compared to men in Poland?
EIGE’s Gender Statistics Database is a hub for statistical information on gender equality across the EU. It brings together data in one interactive and easy-to-use tool. Explore the database and extract the data you need from different angles. We update our database continuously.
Explore the Gender Statistics Database
Beijing Platform for Action
To support better-informed policymaking at EU and Member State levels, EIGE provides support to the presidencies of the Council of the European Union.
Every year the country holding the presidency can ask us to take a closer look at one of the 12 areas of the Beijing Platform for Action. Based on our research, the presidency makes policy recommendations for the chosen area.
The Beijing Platform for Action is a global commitment to the empowerment of women, adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. We support the EU and its Member States in monitoring this international commitment.
See EIGE’s work on the Beijing Platform for Action
Helping the EU to communicate
Not sure which term to use? EIGE’s online glossary and thesaurus provides accurate, up-to-date definitions for key terms related to gender equality. This is how we contribute to a common understanding across the EU.
The glossary is now translated into 23 EU language versions.
Our glossary is constantly evolving and changing, just as language does. Propose your updates and help it grow.
Explore the Glossary and Thesaurus
Giving access to vast resources
With over 500 000 resources, EIGE’sLibrary is a one-stop shop for gender knowledge. Access our collection of policy documents, books, articles, studies, specialised databases and more.
We work together with leading European documentation and information centres specialising in gender equality to provide this service.
Many of these resources are not available in other public libraries.
Uniting experts and enthusiasts
If you are seeking partners for discussions or want to promote your work, EuroGender is the place to be.
EIGE’s online platform is a great way to find and share knowledge about gender equality. By signing up, you can engage with policymakers, experts and organisations active in this field from all around the EU. Find their advice and share your opinion.
Let’s talk
EIGE is always excited to share news and reach out to wider audiences. Keep up to date with all of EIGE’s activities online through our website and other communication channels.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at eige.sec@europa.eu
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