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European Steps to Foster the Role of Women in Science Print E-mail
Gender equity and women’s issues in policy making
bridges vol. 16, December 2007 / Letter from Brussels

by Sabine Neyer

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Sabine Neyer
Fostering women is a topic en vogue for both civil servants and politicians. The European Commission also warmly welcomes the issue "women": several commission communications have been published and the topic "women" pops up frequently in all kind of texts. Suggestions from different sides range from promoting the participation of girls in science subjects (the famous Rocard Report) to fostering women in the world of science, as seen in the Council`s Conclusions on modernizing universities for Europe´s competitiveness in a global knowledge society, and its Conclusions on the future of science and technology in Europe - both from November 23, 2007.

In general, the topic of Gender Equity and advancement of women is placed in the Directorate General of Employment, Social Affairs & Equal Opportunities, which shows that the main focus of gender equity policy measures is in the employment sector. In March 2006, the European Commission released a communication entitled "Roadmap for equality between women and men 2006-2010." Regarding the role of women in science and technology, the Commission suggested measures in three action fields: within the European Research Policy and the 7th Framework Program , in the program "Education and Training 2010," and in the program "Future Citizens for Europe." Furthermore, the establishment of an EU Network of women in economic and political decision-making positions has been proposed, a network still to be founded.

Recapitulating, several propositions have been submitted, but due to the fact that gender issues need to be dealt with in various policy areas, progress is difficult.

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