Overview
Gender equality is one of the fundamental values of the European Union (EU). The EU is dedicated not only to defending this right, but also to promoting gender equality within the Member States and across the world. This is the core aim of the European Commission’s strategic engagement for gender equality 2016-2019. In addition, the strategic engagement ensures that a gender equality perspective is integrated into all EU policies and EU funding programmes. This '2018 report on equality between women and men in the EU' takes stock of the main initiatives launched or accomplished in 2017 in the five thematic areas of the strategic engagement: (1) equal economic independence of women and men; (2) equal pay for work of equal value; (3) equality in decision-making; (4) ending gender-based violence; and (5) promoting gender equality beyond the EU. It focuses in particular on: key trends and the newest available data on the Strategic engagement indicators; actions in the EU, focusing on the achievements by EU Member States and the EU institutions; inspiring practices, innovative projects and successful policies. The report focuses on short-term developments over the last 12 months, but also on medium-term changes since 2010 which could evolve into longer-term developments.