European Parliament Publishes Analysis of the Position of Women in the EU Labor Market

The European Parliament's Policy Department for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs has published a study on EU women in the labor market entitled, "Economic Independence and the Position of Women on the Labour Market of the European Union."

Upon request of the European Parliament's Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), this study examines the position of women on the labor market, drawing particular attention to factors behind the gender pay gap and the gender gap in pensions. The current crisis presents aspects that no other crisis has shown before. On the surface, gaps between men and women are being bridged but under the surface things are more complex and effects more diversified. Overall, there is a need to introduce a gender perspective in the recovery measures: it would help to get out of the current situation sooner and better. 

The study concludes that there is a need of a general plan of investment in social infrastructure on which to base the economic growth of EU countries. Schools, kindergartens, universities, and care for the elderly are an investment that generates employment and encourages qualified female employment. There is a large demand for quality services around Europe: if they increase, a growing number of women would be able to work outside the home, because the companies that provide them are often run by women who have shown they can stay on the market, despite the major difficulties faced in accessing credit at a time of credit crunch. It has been estimated that with a gendered investment plan, European GDP will increase gradually, reaching a level 2.4 p.p. higher by 2018 than without the investment plan.

Read the full publication here.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Stierch.