When it comes to power, the European Union has not yet reached the halfway mark to full gender equality. With the domain of power holding the lowest score in our Gender Equality Index, women remain under-represented in the kinds of decision-making positions that shape politics, economics and society. Yet gender equality is a founding value of the EU and improving it could lead to an increase in GDP of up to €3.15 trillion by 2050.
Ahead of the international day of zero tolerance for female genital mutilation, the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) has published an updated step-by-step guide to assess the number of girls at risk. The fine-tuned methodology will assist those responsible for carrying out risk estimations of female genital mutilation in a region or country of the EU. “Female genital mutilation (FGM) is illegal in all countries of the European Union but this does not mean that all girls are safe.
Between 39 % to 57 % of girls originating from FGM-practising countries who live in Malta are at risk of female genital mutilation. The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) highlights these findings ahead of the international day to eliminate female genital mutilation on 6 February. “It is hard to imagine and to accept that today some girls in the EU are still threatened by one of the most horrible forms of violence.
Policymakers can now benefit from several new resources published on EIGE’s Gender Mainstreaming platform. EIGE has developed a detailed guide to help EU institutions and governmental bodies incorporate a gender perspective into each stage of the policy cycle. “When designing policies that will affect large groups of people, it is important to bear in mind that they will have a different impact depending on people’s situation.
Women with disabilities face a double disadvantage because of their gender and their disability. They are confronted with more obstacles than women without disabilities and face more challenges than their male peers. They are less likely to have a university degree, work outside the home and they experience a higher risk of poverty. Due to gender stereotypes, the bulk of caring responsibilities and housework often falls on their shoulders.
Most women in the European Union who are abused by their partner do not call the police. Only one in three women (33 %) who are physically or sexually abused by their partner contact the authorities. Reported figures of intimate partner violence conceal how widespread it really is. In the lead up to the international day for the elimination of violence against women on 25 November, the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) is launching its new study to improve data collection by the police and justice sectors on intimate partner violence.
On 23 November, EIGE marks the beginning of the annual awareness-raising campaign ‘Orange the World’ to end violence against women and girls. As many other famous buildings and monuments around the world, the EU House in Vilnius will be lit up in orange – a colour that symbolises hope in a world free from violence. If you agree that there should be no place for violence against women anywhere, wear orange and join us on 23 November, at 17:00, in Kudirkos Square, Vilnius.
Trafficking for sexual exploitation is the most commonly reported form of human trafficking in the European Union. It is a form of gender-based violence that disproportionately affects women. 95% of registered victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation in the EU are women or girls. Trafficking in women and girls remains a structural form of violence against women. Member States are obliged by law to take gender specific measures to assist and protect victims.
Digital technologies offer young women and men innovative ways to get involved in politics. From receiving instant news notifications on political developments, to engaging in online debates and expressing opinions on social media, political and civic participation has become faster and easier. Yet, one of the downsides experienced by this generation, who is the most digitally skilled in the EU, is the risk of online abuse.
Our Gender Equality Index country factsheets are now online. They give an in-depth analysis of how each country in the EU is doing in gender equality. You can see how your country has progressed over time and learn about the greatest improvements and challenges in each of the six domains: health, power, money, work, knowledge and time. The EU’s score for gender equality is currently 66.2 out of 100 and only 11 countries rank higher.
Female genital mutilation is against the law in Greece but this does not mean that girls are safe. Between 25 % to 42 % of girls from FGM-practising countries living in Greece are at risk of female genital mutilation. These are the findings released today by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE). “Female genital mutilation is a problem for the EU and we cannot close our eyes to it.
Female genital mutilation is against the law in Cyprus but this does not mean that girls are safe. Between 12 % and 17 % of girls living in Cyprus from FGM-practising countries are at risk of female genital mutilation. These are the findings released today by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE). “Female genital mutilation is a problem for the EU and we cannot close our eyes to it.
