This essay takes a look at how the European Union deals with questions of gender equality and especially focuses on the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen with her 2019 - 2024 strategy to fight gender inequality.
The EU as a supranational political and economic union has achieved many positive things for its citizens. The Schengen Area formed in 1985 has erased border controls, the Euro has made it a lot easier to pay in the EU by getting rid of most of the member states’ old currencies, and the Erasmus-program makes it possible to study abroad in other EU countries. When it comes to concrete societal impacts, the union also has different topics on its agenda. It not only aims at strengthening democratic participation, but it also pushes for more gender equality in all of its institutions.
The most current data is provided by the Global Gender Gap Report 2023. The paper released by the World Economic Forum lists 146 countries and ten out of the first 25 are members of the EU. The EU itself circulates around the upper half of its member states – at least following the EU’s own Gender Equality Index. The report from 2023 states that the EU-average progress in gender equality is 70.2 out of 100 – with 11 member states doing better than the average and 16 ones doing less good.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Body
a) Her ambitious goals
b) What she achieved
c) The one blemish
3. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this essay is to critically evaluate the gender equality policies implemented during Ursula von der Leyen's presidency of the European Commission from 2019 to 2024, examining whether her stated political commitments resulted in tangible legislative progress or remained largely aspirational.
- The role of the European Commission in driving gender equality reforms.
- Evaluation of the Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025.
- Implementation of mandatory quotas for women on corporate boards.
- Challenges regarding the inclusion of consent-based definitions in EU law on violence against women.
Excerpt from the book
b) What she achieved
Von der Leyen’s current College of Commissioners consists of 14 men and 13 women (European Union, The Commissioners. College (2019-2024). The European Commission’s political leadership). Considering the uneven number of Commissioners due to the Brexit, this is a pretty equal commission. Starting already one month after Von der Leyen’s election, the Commission indeed passed the “Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025”, which had the aim of making “significant progress […] towards a gender-equal Europe” (European Union, Gender equality strategy. Achievements and key areas for action). In June 2022, the EU has agreed to impose mandatory quotas on companies ensuring that at least 40 percent of seats on corporate boards go to women (The Guardian, EU agrees ‘landmark’ 40% quota for women on corporate boards, 07.06.2022). Additionally, the Pay Transparency Directive5 adopted in May 2023 ensures binding pay transparency measures (European Union, EU action for equal pay). And finally, in October the Commission joined the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (European Union, Gender equality strategy. Achievements and key areas for action).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter contextualizes the EU’s role in promoting gender equality and introduces the research focus on Ursula von der Leyen’s specific agenda during her 2019-2024 mandate.
2. Body: This section provides a detailed analysis of the steps taken under Von der Leyen, covering her initial goals, concrete legislative achievements like quotas and pay transparency, and the political failure to include a comprehensive rape definition in violence-related legislation.
3. Conclusion: The concluding chapter assesses the overall effectiveness of the Commission's policy efforts, acknowledging both the successfully implemented measures and the limitations of achieving radical change within a five-year term.
Keywords
European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, Gender Equality, Gender Equality Strategy, European Commission, Pay Transparency, Corporate Boards, Istanbul Convention, Violence Against Women, Gender Gap, Legislation, Politics, Equality, Policy Evaluation, European Politics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this essay?
The essay focuses on evaluating the gender equality policies and strategies introduced and implemented by Ursula von der Leyen during her tenure as President of the European Commission from 2019 to 2024.
What are the central themes of the document?
The central themes include the legislative efforts to close the European gender gap, the pursuit of gender-equal representation in EU leadership, pay transparency, and the challenges in legally defining violence against women at the supranational level.
What is the primary research question?
The research seeks to determine what concrete progress Ursula von der Leyen actually achieved regarding her promised gender equality goals and where these initiatives encountered obstacles.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The essay utilizes a qualitative policy analysis approach, comparing the political guidelines and stated goals set by the Commission President against the actual legislative outcomes and policy developments observed during the 2019-2024 period.
What is discussed in the main body?
The main body examines the composition of the College of Commissioners, the implementation of "Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025," corporate gender quotas, the Pay Transparency Directive, and the negotiated progress on violence against women legislation.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include European Union, Gender Equality, von der Leyen, Policy, Legislation, Gender Gap, and the Commission.
Why is the 2024 legislation on violence against women considered a "blemish"?
It is labeled a blemish because the final agreement failed to include a consent-based definition of rape, despite initial goals, largely due to resistance from several member states.
How does the author evaluate the President’s performance?
The author concludes that while systemic change is slow, Von der Leyen is characterized as a politician who fulfilled her formal promises, which helps strengthen the influence and leadership role of the Commission.
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- Tobias Wagner (Autor:in), 2024, European Union and Gender Equality. Von der Leyen's Strategy (2019 - 2024), München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1490702
