This conference was held in Paris (and streamed online) on 3 June 2022. It is part of the conference series Tackling discrimination in Europe : how National Equality Bodies can rise to the challenge within the framework of the French Presidency of the European Union, co-organized with the Defender of rights (Défenseur des droits). This conference was aimed at policy-makers at the EU and national level and equality body staff .
The adoption of Directive 2002/73/EC, the Gender Goods and Services Directive (2004) and the Gender Recast Directive (2006) generalised the set-up of equality bodies promoting gender equality in the EU. The two Directives granted equality bodies the possibility to tackle gender-based discrimination in employment and access to and supply of goods and services, as well as gender-based harassment and sexual harassment, pregnancy and maternity-related discrimination and gender-based pay discrimination. Since then, other directives have expanded the mandates and competences of equality bodies on gender issues.
While a proposal for new EU legislation dedicated to strengthening the role of equality bodies is expected in the autumn of 2022, their role on gender equality has already been gradually strengthened over the years. It highlights their great potential for driving the change towards more gender equal societies at the EU level. It is now necessary to reflect on this evolution and to ensure equality bodies can carry out these new functions and responsibilities adequately. Raising standards for equality bodies will allow for a better implementation of EU law on gender equality, and therefore, a better protection against gender-based discrimination all over the EU. Strengthening equality bodies on gender equality can also contribute to strengthen equality in general and enhance protection against discrimination on all grounds.
OBJECTIVES
This conference aimed to:
- Raise awareness on the potential of equality bodies for tackling gender discrimination and promoting gender equality
- Identify the barriers facing equality bodies to effectively achieve gender equality and the solutions required to overcome these.
FORMAT
The conference was co-organised by the Defender of rights (Défenseur des droits) and will take place in Paris, in the Auditorium Marceau-Long (20 avenue de Ségur, 75007 Paris) with live online streaming available in French and English.
PROGRAMME
| OPENING SESSION | Setting the scene |
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SESSION 2 | Equality Bodies & Gender Equality – Exploring the Potential Dialogue 1 – Equality bodies and Work-Life Balance Dialogue 2 – Equality bodies and Pay Transparency Dialogue 3 – Equality bodies and Violence Against Women |
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SESSION 3 | Equality Bodies & Gender Equality – A Need for Standards Panel discussions: Moving towards stronger equality bodies for a better protection against gender-based discrimination in the EU Panel 1. Strengthening independence of equality bodies Panel 2. Strengthening powers & resources of equality bodies |
| Closing Remarks |