Public expectations and EU policies - Equal treatment of men and women

Briefing 30-06-2016

Public opinion surveys suggest that the majority of Europeans are aware of EU action, and consider that equal treatment of women and men should be an EU priority, with majority support for existing or higher levels of EU involvement. In areas where the public feel that EU intervention is most effective – notably ensuring equal pay, facilitating work-life balance and combating violence against women – there is scope for further action at national and EU level, ranging from ‘soft’ measures such as awareness-raising campaigns to better implementation and enforcement of existing equal treatment legislation, and the potential introduction of new legislative proposals. A number of initiatives are already on the table, but stakeholders have also expressed concerns about diminishing commitment to gender equality policy at EU level.