EIGE’s research shows the many ways digital technologies are benefiting young people in access to learning, friendship, information and actions for social change. It also shows that aggressive behaviour online is anticipated and normalised. For the EU to harness the potential of digital technologies for youth mobilisation, diminishing the power of gender stereotypes online and promoting the diversity of voices, opinions and gender identity are essential.
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, allowing people with childcare responsibilities, who are predominantly women, to fit work in around school hours, potentially increasing their participation in the labour market.
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 as lone parents.
Platform work together with other new forms of employment are gaining ground in the European labour market. Although the share of women platform workers has been rising in recent years, they remain under-represented in platform work. Women are more likely to engage in platform work to gain an additional income and to have flexibility with the specific aim of combining work with family commitments.
The platform work economy comes with great strengths. The ability to work where you want and how you want is a significant motivator for people who have grown tired of the 9-5 rigidity and seek more diversity in their career path.
In the annual European Parliament FEMM committee conference in Brussels, EIGE Director Carlien Scheele presented its 2023 work programme, outlining key thematic priorities and upcoming milestones.
Digital platforms have often been celebrated for allowing equal opportunities for public self-expression, regardless of one’s identity and status. Yet, not everyone is welcome in the cyberspace. The digital arena has become a breeding ground for a range of exclusionary and violent discourses and beliefs, expressed and disseminated in a context of anonymity and impunity. Both women and men can be victims of cyber violence.
The European Institute for Gender Equality has released a new report ‘Combating cyber violence against women and girls’ which underlines the urgent need to develop and adopt harmonised and mutually exclusive definitions of cyber violence against women and girls and its forms.
Digital platforms have often been celebrated for allowing equal opportunities for public self-expression, regardless of one’s identity and status. Yet, not everyone is welcome in the cyberspace. The digital arena has become a breeding ground for a range of exclusionary and violent discourses and beliefs, expressed and disseminated in a context of anonymity and impunity. Both women and men can be victims of cyber violence.
This technical report presents EIGE’s online panel survey of platform workers which was carried out in 2020 in ten Member states of the European Union (EU). The survey results are presented in the study on artificial intelligence, platform work and gender equality. Advancements in digitalisation brought profound opportunities, but also new challenges in the labour market. Among major developments is the growth of digital labour platforms in the EU.
