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PARTNER’S FORUM of the 9th Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting St Michael, Barbados 5 June 2010 Lessons from Europe: Promoting Financial Market Recovery through Gender Responsive Reforms

PARTNER’S FORUM of the 9th Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting St Michael, Barbados 5 June 2010 Lessons from Europe: Promoting Financial Market Recovery

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PARTNER’S FORUM of the

9th Women’s Affairs Ministers MeetingSt Michael, Barbados

5 June 2010

Lessons from Europe:

Promoting Financial Market Recovery through Gender

Responsive Reforms

CYPRUS, MALTA, UNITED KINGDOM

ARE MEMBERS OF

THE EUROPEAN UNION

AND

THE COMMONWEALTH

Investing in WomenThe European Union

• Supports greater Gender Equality both within and outside the Union

• Acknowledges that Gender Equality is a fundamental human right and a question of social justice

• Believes that Gender Equality is essential for growth and poverty reduction

Gender Issues and The Economy

• Women need to be at the policy-making table

• Women have an important role in the economy

• Women matter

EUROPEAN SOCIAL POLICY

Priorities and Objectives of the community:

• Job Opportunities

• Entrepreneurship

• Education and Training

• Social Inclusion

• Combating discrimination in the labour market

EUROPEAN ROADMAP FOR GENDER EQUALITY

The Roadmap with its six priorities covers all the internal and external policies of the EU

1. Achieving Equal Economic independence for Women & Men

2. Enhancing Reconciliation of Work, Private and Family Life

3. Promoting Equal Participation of Women and Men in Decision-Making

ROADMAP FOR GENDER EQUALITY

4. Eradicating Gender based Violence and Trafficking

5. Eliminating Gender Stereotypes in Society

6. Promoting Gender equality outside the EU

WOMEN Who Make the Mark• Women define goals and make

connections

• They have the ability to see opportunities in setbacks

• Strength of character to make the top

• Maintain energy and a positive outlook

Gender Equality is Smart Economics

• Investing in Women is not a question but a must

• Economic growth for women has an important multiplier effect

Ensuring Economic Growth

Equipping women from all backgrounds with the education, skills and support systems

necessary to be successful managers, business leaders and entrepreneurs.

Countries with the highest level of gender equality have profited:

• Greater social justice and stability

• Economic growth and competitiveness

Progress for Women is

Progress for ALL

EU PERSPECTIVE

• Equality means flexicurity strategies

• Women’s vital role in dealing with change

• Europe demographic challenge

EU Lisbon Strategy

• Promotes growth and jobs

• 6 million jobs taken by women

Women face many barriers• Women’s employment rate remains

15% lower than men• Gender pay gap is 15%• Traditional ‘women’ jobs• Difficulties in reaching decision-

making positions• The Glass Ceiling

Work-Home Reconciliation Policies

• Financial support to cover family related costs

• High quality care services for children & dependent older people

• Flexible working hours with appropriate leave arrangements

Investing in Women makes sense• Women have strong records as entrepreneurs and managers

•They drive 70% of household spending decisions

•10 million of them are self employed or run their own businesses

Yet They Struggle to find support from the male-dominated venture capital community

Three areas linking gender equality, economic growth and employment

• organisation of time

• the recognition of qualifications in jobs providing services to individuals, and

• gender balance in professional sectors and decision-making posts.

MALTA

•Men across varying education levels, enjoy upward growth in income throughout their working lives pattern

•The trend in gross annual salaries for women appears much more stagnant whether with low or high levels of education.

Conclusion Women as drivers of Economic Expansion

Enjoying economic empowerment

With the right frameworks in place to

Enable them in their career progression

Holders of the potential for change and growth

Information

• www.ec.europa.eu/external_relations

• www.ec.europa.eu/development

• www.ec.europa.eu/employment_social

• www.eesc.europa.eu

• www.oecd.org

• www.ncwmalta.com/infowoman

• Email: [email protected]

THANK YOU

Doris BingleyNCW & ICWEurope