What is gender equality?

Gender equality is when men and women have equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities.

Let's see how gender equality can work on the example of Mary (a woman) and Luke (a man). They both can go to school and get the same level of education. At work, Mary and Luke get the same salary if they do the same job. If they get married, then Mary and Luke divide household chores like cleaning and cooking equally and take care of their children together. Mary and Luke are seen as equal people who have the same amount of power and who can make their own decisions. Gender equality does not mean that men and women will become the same but it means that people`s responsibilities and opportunities will be the same for every member of the community and not different for men and for women.

The Gender Equality Index rates countries of the EU in terms of gender equality based on economic, political, education, and health-based criteria. A score of 0 means that there is no gender equality, while 100 points means that gender equality is achieved. In 2020, the leading country was Sweden with a score of 83.8 points. Italy has a score of 63.5, Lithuania got 56.3, Romania 54.4.

Economic benefits of gender equality

Not only women but the whole society can benefit from gender equality. A more gender equal EU will have a positive impact on GDP (growth domestic product), increase the level of employment, and will help with the challenges of the ageing population.

By 2050, improving gender equality would lead to an increase in EU (GDP) per capita to 9.6% and it will only grow over time. GDP is important because the higher it grows, the better the economy of the country is which results in economic well-being of citizens and better living standards.

Improvements in gender equality would lead to an additional 10.5 million jobs in 2050, which would benefit both women and men. New jobs occupied by women are particularly important as they can help to reduce poverty.

The EU predicts that the number of older people in the labour force will be increasing because the number of children being born is becoming smaller every year. If men and women have equal access to education, employment options and share household responsibilities equally, the number of children being born will increase. In the long-term (after 2040), these children will become employees and help the economy.

Reducing the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education areas helps reduce skills gap, increase employment and productivity of women and reduce occupational segregation. This would foster economic growth via higher productivity and increased labour market activity.

Gender mainstreaming

Gender mainstreaming is an international strategy that helps to achieve gender equality. It means that gender perspective is taken into account while preparing and implementing different policies.

Gender mainstreaming is important because it makes policies effective for all members of society - men and women, girls and boys. Gender mainstreaming makes sure that there is no discrimination and inequality in policy-making. Women and men usually have different needs and problems that need different approaches to solve them. However, many policies address only men`s issues as they are automatically seen as universal ones. Gender mainstreaming makes sure this does not happen and that women’s issues are also addressed properly and effective ways to solve them are introduced in laws.

Gender perspective in policy making:

Gender-based discrimination

This is a type of discrimination that usually happens to women and girls just because of their gender. This happens because of stereotypes that men are smarter and stronger than women.

Gender-based discrimination makes it more difficult for a woman to build a career. Examples of gender-based discrimination at work can be: a job advertisement that only men can apply for a position, an employer who does not want to hire or promote a woman because there is a chance she will take maternity leave in the future; a difference in salaries that a man and a woman get for doing the same job.

There are two types of gender-based discrimination at work: direct and indirect. Direct discrimination happens when an employer chooses or doesn`t choose a worker just because of their gender.

Example of direct discrimination

Mary applies for a position of codding but the employer is looking for male candidates only and rejects her.

Indirect discrimination happens when there is a rule for all employees but it puts women in a worse position than men.

Example of indirect discrimination

A company organizes business networking meetings at 6pm after work. All employees are invited but women cannot go because they need to pick up their children from kindergarten. This situation limits career opportunities of women who also need to take care of children while men can use this chance because their wives are responsible for children.

Gender discrimination at work