• Romania

    PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework There is no specific legal framework in Romanian legislation that addresses gender equality in research. Article 41 of the Romanian Constitution guarantees equal pay for equal work to women and men, while Article 223 of the Penal Code defines sexual harassment at the workplace as a criminal offence. All forms of discrimination are...

  • Portugal

    PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework Portugal has several statutory provisions aimed at promoting gender equality and equal opportunities for women and men. As of September 2021, however, it has not adopted any corresponding laws, including for higher education institutions (HEIs) and research organisations. As a country that effectively fulfils its human rights and inclusion commitments, Portugal has prioritised...

  • Poland

    PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework The principle of equality between women and men is embedded in the Polish Constitution, the Labour Code and the Act on the Promotion of Employment and Labour Market Institutions. The Act on Implementation of Several European Union Regulations on Equal Treatment of 3 December 2010 aims to counteract violation of equal treatment and...

  • Netherlands

    PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework The Higher Education and Scientific Research Act was published in 1992 and contains several references to discrimination. Article 1.3.5 states that “higher education institutions [HEIs] shall also pay attention to the personal development of their students and the promotion of their sense of social responsibility. The promotion of social responsibility shall include, at...

  • Malta

    PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework As of June 2021, no national laws promoting gender equality in research were adopted in Malta. However, the Maltese Parliament is at advanced stages of discussion of the Equality Bill, with approval expected in the second half of 2021. This Bill consolidates and strengthens the current equality legislation in Malta, ensuring equal protection...

  • Luxembourg

    PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework The government plays an important role in ensuring gender balance in research organisations in Luxembourg. The Fund for National Research (FNR) (Law of 31 May 1999, amended by the Law of 27 August 2014) and the organisation of Public Research Centres (Law of 29 December 2014) are both required to have gender-balance on...

  • Lithuania

    PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework Prior to 2020, there were very few initiatives to adopt or amend legislation that would significantly contribute to institutional change in mainstreaming gender equality in science and research. The key law that explicitly identifies gender equality in public life is the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men ( Lietuvos Respublikos moteru...

  • Latvia

    PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework The Law on Scientific Activity has been in force since 2005. The corresponding secondary law stipulates that a person performing scientific activities will be allowed to do so regardless of race, nationality, gender, language, age, political and religious beliefs, social origin, property, family or service status and other circumstances. The Labour Law prohibition...

  • Italy

    PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework Law 183/2010 established the Unique Guarantee Committees for Equal Opportunities in Public Administrations for Workers’ Wellbeing and against Discrimination ( Comitati unici di garanzia per le pari opportunità, la valorizzazione del benessere di chi lavora e contro le discriminazioni, CUGs). These Committees replaced the previous Equal Opportunities Committees (CPOs). Although the Law indicates...

  • Ireland

    PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework The relevant legislative acts promoting gender equality in Irish Higher Education and Research include: Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2015, which prohibit discrimination in a wide range of employment and employment-related areas including recruitment and promotion, equal pay, working conditions, training or experience, dismissal and harassment including sexual harassment and victimisation) [1]; Equal...

  • Hungary

    PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework Act CXXV of 2003 on Equal Treatment and the Promotion of Equal Opportunities is the main legislation guaranteeing equal treatment in Hungary. It recognises a number of protected grounds, including gender, pregnancy, motherhood and fatherhood. According to the Act, a person cannot be treated less favourably than a person in a comparable situation...

  • Greece

    PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework Law 2839/2000 requires one-third gender representation in all decision-making public body committees, including those of universities and research institutions. More specifically, one-third representation of the minority sex is needed for all decision-making public body committees, provided that potential members have the same level of qualifications. Law 3549/2007, on reform of the institutional framework...