Luxembourg Minister for Equal Opportunities, Lydia Mutsch, was in Brussels on Monday 7 December 2015 to chair the equality of women and men panel of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Council, where gender equality in political, economic and social decision-making was at the forefront of discussions.
The topic had previously been highlighted as a priority for the Presidency during a major international conference held in October. As well as adopting conclusions on this matter, Member States of the Council were invited to vote on the compromise text prepared by the Presidency regarding the proposed Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on better male/female balance among the non-executive directors of listed companies and related measures. Continuing differences of views meant that no agreement was reached on the women on company boards directive.
The Ministers additionally held an exchange of views on the action the Commission will give to the strategy for equality between women and men 2010-2015, which will be coming to an end.
The Council meeting was preceded by a working breakfast on the theme of a better balance between work and personal life for those supporting children or dependent persons, as previous discussions on reconciling work and family life had been limited solely to women. The redistribution of tasks and responsibilities between men and women in all areas of life was deemed essential to reconciling the two domains of work and private life, with an analaysis and involvement of men's perspective cited as therefore necessary.
This discussion was chaired by Corinne Cahen, Minister for Family and Integration.
Photo by Ministry of Health (Lydia Mutsch)
