Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Commission

Equality between women and men is a fundamental right, a common value of the EU and a necessary condition for achieving the EU’s objectives of growth, employment and social cohesion. Although, the EU has been progressively working to achieve equality between men and women, gender discrimination remains a reality within Europe. This calls for more cohesive and sustainable action to be taken up by the EU and its member states.

The Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Commission strives to include gender equality in all of CESI’s policies and actions. Gender mainstreaming, equal pay, gender budgeting and the advancement of women in leadership and management positions are among the issues dealt with, as well as violence, dependency and poverty, especially targeting women.

Women are not a minority group in need of protective measures. In 2010, women made up 51.2% of the population, compared with 48.8% men, giving gender equality the status of a human right in itself. Raising gender awareness in policy making is at the core of the FEMM Commission’s work in achieving gender equality.

In 2024, the FEMM Commission will focus topics including:

  • Advocacy on an ambitious new EU Directive on violence against women
  • Awareness-raising/campaigning for an increased proportion of women in the European Parliament, in advance of the EU elections in 2024
  • Advocacy on a comprehensive transposition of the new EU directives on pay transparency and on women-on-boards
  • Awareness-raising on gender-neutral algorithmic management

The portfolio of the FEMM Commission can be accessed here (DE / FR / ES).

General Secretariat staff in charge of the expert commission

Hendrik Meerkamp

Hendrik Meerkamp

Policy adviser, CESI General Secretariat