Ewa Ruminska - Zimny, Warsaw School of Economics, Poland 7th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Gulistan Palace, Baku May 2010 Positive Action and Gender Mainstreaming Achievements and Challenges

Gender mainstreaming and positive action Gender mainstreaming as key tools for reaching gender equality through (1) (re) organisation, improvement, development and evaluation of (all) policy processes and (2) focused action (e.g quotas) Complementarity of g.m and positive action Key role of COE in the development and implementation of positive action and gender mainstreaming strategy at European level Achievements mixed with challenges and a sense of slow progress (se2009.eu)

Achievements Achievements varied accross country and by area: national reports for this conference ( and for B+15 review ( Priority actions and progress in 3 main areas: (i) national mechanisms for gender equality, (ii) violence against women (domestic/trafficking), (iii) economy (poverty, equal pay, reconciliation work-family, entrepreneurship) Slower and more uneven progress in decision-making, the media and social sectors (education, health) – importance of themes of today’s Conference

Achievements: good practices New laws (Gender Equality Act, Croatia 2008) and/or provisions in Labour Code (paternal leaves, wage gap), Penal Code (domestic violence) and other- also Action Plans against violence and/or National Action Plans (most COE countries) New mechanisms: gender budgeting in Federal Constitution (Austria 2009); gender reviews of national budget (Azerbaijan 2008) Women entrepreneurs : lower admin. barriers for micro- enterprises (Kazakhstan, Russia), microcredits (Turkey), National Agency for women start-ups (Germany) Private sector: quotas and voluntary measures: over 40% share of women in corporate boards in Norway (up from 16% in 2005); also France, Spain; voluntary Charter „Talents to the Top” (Netherlans), Family- friendly employer (Slovakia)

Achievements and de facto equality Better legislation is a necessary condition for de facto progress – but not a sufficient one as it does not ensure implementation Despite widespread anti- discriminatory provisions on wages – in all member countries women are paid less than men – in some they get only about % of male average wage (even those with higher education – 65% men’s salary in Slovakia) Despite (new) measures on parental leave in many countries the share of fathers is in low single digits (1-3%); but level of benefits matters; in Germany father’s share increased from 3,5 to 18% due to new new earning-related benefits (2007), similarly in Estonia from 2 to 6% (temporary)

Challenges: how to make real changes in the real world? Key factors: political will, resources, data/information, addressing structural barriers Political will varies (declarative –practical); impact of low share of women at decision levels -- in most COE countries only % MPs; in some only 6-7 % and only in few above 35% (only Sweden at parity - 47%) Resources pressed down by economic and financial crisis, budgetary constraints and tougher rules Data: indicators in 9 Beijing areas adopted by EU (2009) – only Human rights, media and environment left outside Structural barries: slow progress in changing formal and informal institutions (stereotypes)

Formal and informal institutions: equality as a cost Institutions reflect the perception that gender equality, though a basic human right, is a cost to society in economic terms (takes resources from investments for ex in new technologies) It is in fact another gender stereotype – along with traditional male and female roles – rarely addressed in media and education campaigns (cultural norms, micro level) Combating also this stereotype (economic norms, macro-level) is important for progress in de facto equality It could be incorporated into new initiatives in media and education --–such as – mainstreaming gender into higher education curriculum (new „women’s study” university course, Croatia), teacher’s education (Belgium) or courses for public servants (Luxemburg)

What are the arguments ? Gender equality- GDP growth –a two way street as one affects the other Economic recessions/crisis have negative impact on gender equality (women as vulnerable group) -- but gender equality affects growth rates Positive impact on growth through more effective use of human and social capital (quantity, quality, allocation –returns on education) – but also higher demand and more contributions to national budget (Klasen 2009, Smith, Bettio 2009) In Asia, estimated losses due to inequality in labour market amount to bln.$ (UN –ESCAP 2007) Also positive impact at company level – diversity („Lehman sisters”), pool of talents, better response to demand (Dell’s „pink” computer failure)

Share of women researchers in total number of researchers ( %, 2006) Source: UNECE Gender Statistics Database

Women’s education level and professional position ( shares: tertiary eduction %; and senior management %; 2005 ) Source: Worldbank Edstats, ILO Laborsta

Conclusions Current crisis enbodies risks for furher progress in gender equality – pressure on jobs, resources, public services and social infrastructure It is also an opportunity to : Bring human rights standards to economic policies Change the stereotype that gender equality is a cost to economic and social development: role media and education Strenghten the case for mainstreaming gender into core economic and social sectors based on investment argument Build partnerships among all actors – including men