The European care strategy (2022) and the gender equality strategy 2026–2030 both highlight the need to reduce gender inequalities in care, especially the unequal sharing of childcare within households. A key dimension of this challenge lies in how couples organise paid work. Whether both partners work full-time, only one does, or neither does, can shape who provides care, how families...
The EU care strategy (2022) and the EU gender equality strategy 2026–2030 both highlight the need to reduce gender inequalities in care responsibilities, particularly the unequal sharing of unpaid childcare within households. Yet, informal care is not experienced equally across society. Who provides care and how it affects employment and daily life vary significantly depending on socioeconomic circumstances, including income...
The extent and dire consequences of cyber violence against women and girls cannot be overlooked Cyber violence against women and girls is a core dimension of gender-based violence in the digital age. It includes a wide range of abusive acts carried out through information and communication technologies, often targeting women and girls because of their gender and intersecting with factors...
Economic violence: hidden, harmful and still overlooked Economic violence is often invisible, but its impact is devastating. The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) defines economic violence as any act or behavior that causes economic harm to a person. Economic violence can include economic control, economic exploitation and economic sabotage. In intimate relationships, this can mean controlling money, restricting access...
Achieving gender equality in the judiciary decision-making is essential for delivering fair justice. The General Recommendation 33 (2015) of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women notes that judicial systems must be gender-sensitive, tackle stereotypes, train judges, and ensure equal access, remedies, and dispute resolution procedures 1. Equal representation of women and men in the...
The European Commission’s 2020–2025 gender equality strategy (henceforth, the strategy) provides the current basis for coordinated action towards a gender-equal Europe. The strategy pursues a dual approach consisting of gender mainstreaming combined with specific actions, and intersectionality as a horizontal principle for its implementation. The strategy is underpinned by a monitoring framework including a series of indicators that consider differences...
Strong institutional mechanisms (i.e. national structures and processes for the promotion of gender equality) are crucial to progress in achieving gender equality. EIGE has established a system for the regular monitoring of the state of institutional mechanisms for the promotion of gender equality in the EU Member States. This monitoring is based on four indicators adopted by the Council of...
Advancements in gender equality happen with concerted and committed action by national governments. Area H of the Beijing Platform for Action highlights the importance of formal structures and processes – ‘institutional mechanisms’ – in ensuring that gender equality goals are at the forefront of policy. EIGE has established a system for the regular monitoring of the state of institutional mechanisms...
What is a gender-sensitive parliament? A gender-sensitive parliament ensures that there are no barriers to diverse groups of women and men participating equally in the parliament and having equal influence over decision-making. As the gatekeepers of gender equality, parliaments need to ensure that legislation across all policy areas has a fair and equal impact on women and men in all...
First European elections to result in a decrease in women Members of the European Parliament Following the June 2024 elections, a total of 278 women (38.7 %) and 441 men (61.3 %) took their seats at the constitutive session of the new European Parliament in July ([1]). For the first time in its history, the share of women Members of...
Increasing digitalisation has led to a proliferation of so-called "platform work" whereby workers use online platforms (e.g. Uber, Wolt, Bolt) to access clients to deliver specific tasks or services. This note explores some of the characteristics of platform work for those with childcare responsibilities. Furthermore, it investigates gender differences for those carers who live with children in a couple or...
Increasing digitalisation has led to a proliferation of so-called "platform work" whereby workers use online platforms (e.g. Uber, Wolt, Bolt) to access clients to deliver specific tasks or services. Such platforms can be seen to offer flexibility regarding when, how much and where one works. And this can contribute to gender equality through enabling a better work-life balance. For example...
