A Union of Equality: Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025

Abstract

The promotion of equality between women and men is a task for the Union, in all its activities, required by the Treaties. Gender equality is a core value of the EU, a fundamental right1 and key principle of the European Pillar of Social Rights2. It is a reflection of who we are. It is also an essential condition for an innovative, competitive and thriving European economy. In business, politics and society as a whole, we can only reach our full potential if we use all of our talent and diversity. Gender equality brings more jobs and higher productivity3 – a potential which needs to be realised as we embrace the green and digital transitions and face up to our demographic challenges. The European Union is a global leader in gender equality: 14 of the top 20 countries worldwide on gender equality are EU Member States4. Thanks to robust equal treatment legislation and jurisprudence5, efforts to mainstream the gender6 perspective into different policy areas, and laws to address particular inequalities, the EU has made significant progress in gender equality in the last decades.