Women’s participation in the European labour force is critical in terms of quantity and quality. In 2016, the EU28 gender employment gap was , with this gap varying considerably between Member States, ranging from (Lithuania) to (Malta). Additionally, women often constitute the workforce for low-skilled and low-paid jobs, and frequently with precarious employment conditions. The EU average gender pay gap is , meaning that for every €1 earned by a man, a woman gets only 84 cents.

This symposium provides a timely opportunity for experts, national authorities, social partners and other key stakeholders to discuss the latest policy developments at EU level to tackle gender-based discrimination in the workplace. It will also allow delegates to analyse the different drivers of inequality between female and male workers, and to identify priorities for future policy actions in order to remove the remaining barriers to women’s access to the labour market.

Overview:

• Session 1 - Considering the European Framework to Promote Gender Equality in the Workplace
• Session 2 - Levelling the Playing Field: Combating the Discrimination of Female Workers
• Session 3 - Developing Solutions to Address Violence and Harassment against Women at Work
• Session 4 - Balancing the Distribution of Unpaid Care Work between Women and Men

Delegates will:

• Delve into the latest EU policy developments aiming at the achievement of gender equality at work
• Understand the dynamics behind the horizontal and vertical segregation of female workers and debate about proportionate remedies
• Explore effective solutions to close the gender pay gap
• Discuss about measures and methods to tackle violence and harassment against  women at work
• Assess the role of social partners in ensuring an empowering workplace for women
• Examine the consequences of unpaid care work on female employment
• Exchange views about innovative policy answers to encourage a more equal share of caring tasks between women and men