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Empowering women in the economy

Doc. 14573: collection of written amendments | Doc. 14573 | 28/06/2018 | Revised version

Compendium index

Amendment 1 Sub-amendment 1 to amendment 1 Amendment 2 Amendment 3 Sub-amendment 1 to amendment 3 Sub-amendment 2 to amendment 3 Amendment 4 Amendment 5 Amendment 6 Amendment 7 Amendment 8 Amendment 9 Amendment 10 Amendment 11 Amendment 12 Amendment 13 Amendment 14 Amendment 15 Amendment 16

Caption: AdoptedRejectedWithdrawnNo electronic votes

ADraft Resolution

1In spite of the significant progress achieved in the last few decades, inequality between women and men is still rife, in Council of Europe member States and beyond, and is particularly evident in the economy.
2Gender inequality in the economy manifests itself in various forms, including difficult access for women to the labour market and to career progression, especially at top level (glass ceiling). Unjustified differences in pay levels (gender pay gap) are a blatant form of discrimination based on gender in the labour market.
3Women are under-represented in management jobs, and over-represented in non-standard, part-time and precarious work, which generally holds fewer opportunities for professional development and career advancement. Gender differences also exist among autonomous workers and entrepreneurs, with over 50% more self-employed men than women, and the gap widening as the size of the business grows.
4Gender segmentation of the economy also contributes to disparities, as sectors with a predominant female work force, such as education, social work and care, tend to feature lower remuneration levels. Women are under-represented in particular in the area of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), which offer better employment and professional development opportunities.
5The Parliamentary Assembly has consistently advocated gender equality in the economy through different measures, including positive actions such as reserved quotas on corporate boards, and work–life balance reconciliation measures, and with texts such as Resolution 1719 (2010) and Recommendation 1911 (2010) on women and the economic and financial crisis, Resolution 1825 (2011) and Recommendation 1977 (2011) “More women in economic and social decision-making bodies”, Resolution 1921 (2013) on gender equality, reconciliation of work and private life and co-responsibility, and Resolution 1939 (2013) on parental leave as a way to foster gender equality.
6The situation has improved in some Council of Europe member States thanks to a variety of measures ranging from positive discrimination, to reconciliation measures including flexible work arrangements and parental leave schemes. Awareness raising, training and life-long education have also contributed to this positive development. However, the improvement is achieved at a slow pace and not in all countries equally.
7The experience of more gender-equal societies shows that equality between women and men in the economy is a precondition for advances in other spheres, including public and political life.

28 June 2018

Tabled by Ms Eleonora CIMBRO, Mr Piet De BRUYN, Mr Valeriu GHILETCHI, Mr Pavlo UNGURYAN, Mr Francesco Maria AMORUSO, Mr Roger ZAVOLI, Mr Davor Ivo STIER, Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL, Ms Edite ESTRELA, Ms Athanasia ANAGNOSTOPOULOU, Ms Petra BAYR

Votes: 21 in favor 2 against 2 abstentions

In the draft resolution, at the end of paragraph 7, insert the following sentences: "Accordingly, the Assembly recognises that maternity and motherhood must be supported and protected within the workplace and must not be treated as though they were impediments for a woman's career. Equal treatment of men and women within the economy is essential to society - indeed, motherhood is not just an economic driver but is also a priceless contribution to society as a whole."

28 June 2018

Tabled by the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination

Votes: 20 in favor 3 against 4 abstentions

In amendment 1, delete the following words: “indeed, motherhood is not just an economic driver but is also a priceless contribution to society as a whole”.

8The Assembly is concerned that inequalities in the workplace have a severe impact on the economic well-being of women, not only in the short but also in the longer term, as the combination of lower pay, precarious employment and limited career advancement translate over time into considerably lower pensions and wealth. It notes that the various manifestations of discrimination based on gender in the economy are interconnected and linked with gender inequalities within the household. This correlation should always be borne in mind both when analysing various forms of inequality and when designing possible countermeasures.
9The Assembly believes that education plays a crucial role in combating the cultural factors that hinder women’s participation in the economy, particularly gender stereotypes limiting women’s freedom to choose education and careers, and reserving for them a disproportionate burden of unpaid household and care work. Training and life-long education, in addition, would contribute to countering gender segregation in the labour market. The study of STEM subjects, in particular, should be strongly encouraged among women and girls, in view of their growing importance and the current gender imbalance in this area.
10In the light of these considerations, the Assembly calls on Council of Europe member and observer States and States whose parliaments enjoy observer or partner for democracy status with the Parliamentary Assembly, to:
10.1as regards women employees:

28 June 2018

Tabled by Mr Norbert KLEINWAECHTER, Mr Ulrich OEHME, Mr Roman HAIDER, Mr Andon DONCHEV, Mr Jiři KOBZA

Votes: 7 in favor 17 against 1 abstention

In the draft resolution, paragraph 10.1, replace the word "women" with the word "parent".

10.1.1encourage public and private companies to adopt policies aimed at enhancing gender balance and equal opportunities in the work place, through human resources management policies in areas including recruitment, training and career progression;

28 June 2018

Tabled by Mr Norbert KLEINWAECHTER, Mr Ulrich OEHME, Mr Roman HAIDER, Mr Andon DONCHEV, Mr Jiři KOBZA

Votes: 7 in favor 18 against 0 abstention

In the draft resolution, paragraph 10.1.1, replace the words: "equal opportunities in the work place" with the following words: "family support".

10.1.2require public and private companies to introduce transparency policies on salaries, based on making remuneration scales public by sector and type of job, with a view to guaranteeing equal treatment for equal work;

28 June 2018

Tabled by Mr Norbert KLEINWAECHTER, Mr Ulrich OEHME, Mr Roman HAIDER, Mr Andon DONCHEV, Mr Jiři KOBZA

Votes: 6 in favor 19 against 2 abstentions

In the draft resolution, delete paragraphs 10.1.2 and 10.1.3.

10.1.3consider introducing a certification system acknowledging that a company’s remuneration schemes are not discriminatory, in particular on grounds of gender;
10.1.4introduce legislation and policies on work–life balance measures, including flexible work arrangements (part-time work, teleworking, flexible hours), as well as attractive parental leave schemes;

28 June 2018

Tabled by Ms Eleonora CIMBRO, Mr Piet De BRUYN, Mr Valeriu GHILETCHI, Mr Pavlo UNGURYAN, Mr Francesco Maria AMORUSO, Mr Roger ZAVOLI, Mr Davor Ivo STIER, Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL, Ms Edite ESTRELA, Ms Petra BAYR

In the draft resolution, paragraph 10.1.4, replace the word "introduce" with the following words: "recognise that maternity and parenthood are essential and positive contributions to society that should not be treated negatively or in any way as an impediment to career progression, by introducing"

10.1.5provide affordable childcare services for children of all age groups and encourage companies to do likewise;
10.1.6introduce incentives to childcare, such as tax deductions or vouchers for expenditure related to childcare;

28 June 2018

Tabled by Mr Norbert KLEINWAECHTER, Mr Ulrich OEHME, Mr Roman HAIDER, Mr Andon DONCHEV, Mr Jiři KOBZA

Votes: 6 in favor 20 against 1 abstention

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 10.1.6, insert the following paragraph:

"introduce incentives to foster the raising of children at home, thus ensuring that parents have enough time, money, and job security to bring up their families;".

10.1.7promote, also through financial and fiscal incentives, companies’ policies to encourage women to return to work after maternity, including professional training and guidance;

28 June 2018

Tabled by Mr Norbert KLEINWAECHTER, Mr Ulrich OEHME, Mr Roman HAIDER, Mr Andon DONCHEV, Mr Jiři KOBZA

Votes: 6 in favor 20 against 2 abstentions

In the draft resolution, paragraph 10.1.7, replace the words: "encourage women to return to work after maternity" with the following words: "secure for parents the return to full- or part-time work after maternity or paternity leave".

10.2as regards women in management positions:

28 June 2018

Tabled by Mr Norbert KLEINWAECHTER, Mr Ulrich OEHME, Mr Roman HAIDER, Mr Andon DONCHEV, Mr Jiři KOBZA

Votes: 7 in favor 21 against 0 abstention

In the draft resolution, delete paragraph 10.2.

10.2.1introduce quotas reserved for the under-represented sex on company boards of directors, of 30% or more, with financial and non-financial sanctions for non-compliance, such as the dismissal of the entire board in severe cases;
10.3as regards women’s entrepreneurship:
10.3.1promote women’s access to funding for the creation of businesses and land ownership, in particular through special credit lines at reduced interest rates;

28 June 2018

Tabled by Mr Norbert KLEINWAECHTER, Mr Ulrich OEHME, Mr Roman HAIDER, Mr Andon DONCHEV, Mr Jiři KOBZA

Votes: 6 in favor 19 against 1 abstention

In the draft resolution, delete paragraph 10.3.1.

10.3.2provide women with free or affordable training opportunities and guidance for the creation of businesses, specifically designed for women;

28 June 2018

Tabled by Mr Norbert KLEINWAECHTER, Mr Ulrich OEHME, Mr Roman HAIDER, Mr Andon DONCHEV, Mr Jiři KOBZA

Votes: 7 in favor 20 against 1 abstention

In the draft resolution, replace paragraph 10.3.2 with the following paragraph:

"provide individuals interested in entrepreneurship with free or affordable opportunities and guidance for the creation of businesses."

10.3.3encourage mentoring and coaching programmes for women entrepreneurs and enhance gender equality in the work of business incubators;

28 June 2018

Tabled by Ms Eleonora CIMBRO, Mr Piet De BRUYN, Mr Valeriu GHILETCHI, Mr Pavlo UNGURYAN, Mr Francesco Maria AMORUSO, Mr Roger ZAVOLI, Mr Davor Ivo STIER, Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL, Ms Edite ESTRELA

Votes: 22 in favor 1 against 4 abstentions

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 10.3.3, insert the following paragraph:

"x.x as regards women who are mothers: x.x.1 consider recognising unremunerated household and caregiving work at the policy level and in the pension system, so as to guarantee adequate treatment to women and men choosing caring responsibilities; x.x.2 provide women with support for unremunerated household and care work, especially maternity care, by recognising and valuing such work;"

28 June 2018

Tabled by the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination

In Amendment 3, delete the words “at the policy level and”.

28 June 2018

Tabled by the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination

In Amendment 3, delete the words: "x.x.2 provide women with support for unremunerated household and care work, especially maternity care, by recognising and valuing such work".

10.4as regards education:
10.4.1introduce citizenship education in school curricula with a focus on gender equality, based on a holistic approach encompassing equality between women and men in private and public life, including in education and participation in the work force;

28 June 2018

Tabled by Mr Norbert KLEINWAECHTER, Mr Ulrich OEHME, Mr Roman HAIDER, Mr Andon DONCHEV, Mr Jiři KOBZA

In the draft resolution, delete paragraph 10.4.1.

10.4.2provide training on gender issues and equality to teaching and non-teaching school staff, with a view to combating gender stereotypes in education, including as regards educational and career guidance;

28 June 2018

Tabled by Mr Norbert KLEINWAECHTER, Mr Ulrich OEHME, Mr Roman HAIDER, Mr Andon DONCHEV, Mr Jiři KOBZA

In the draft resolution, paragraph 10.4.2, replace the words "gender issues and equality" with the following words: "issues of equality".

10.4.3encourage girls to choose STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) through educational guidance activities throughout their school career and at university;
10.4.4encourage education institutions at school and university level to explore new approaches to recruiting students in STEM disciplines, with a view to improving gender balance in the student population;
10.4.5promote equal access of women and men to information and communication technology and to lifelong education in this area;
10.4.6introduce into schools’ economy and finance programmes the knowledge of legislative and financial instruments that make it possible for women to be better integrated into economic life and which would ensure gender equality;

28 June 2018

Tabled by Mr Norbert KLEINWAECHTER, Mr Ulrich OEHME, Mr Roman HAIDER, Mr Andon DONCHEV, Mr Jiři KOBZA

In the draft resolution, paragraph 10.4.6, replace the word "women" with the words "young people".

10.5as regards information and awareness raising:

28 June 2018

Tabled by Mr Norbert KLEINWAECHTER, Mr Ulrich OEHME, Mr Roman HAIDER, Mr Andon DONCHEV, Mr Jiři KOBZA

In the draft resolution, delete paragraph 10.5.

10.5.1promote information and awareness-raising campaigns to counter gender stereotypes, particularly regarding the world of work, including through relevant role models and testimonials;
10.6as regards data collection:

28 June 2018

Tabled by Mr Norbert KLEINWAECHTER, Mr Ulrich OEHME, Mr Roman HAIDER, Mr Andon DONCHEV, Mr Jiři KOBZA

In the draft resolution, delete paragraph 10.6.

10.6.1promote data collection and analysis on the impact of innovative gender equality- oriented management practices.