10. STRUCTURAL FUNDS: "GENDER MAINSTREAMING"
(24174)
5051/03
COM(02)748
|
Commission Communication on implementation of gender main-streaming in the Structural Funds programming documents for 2000-2006.
|
| Legal base: | —
|
| |
| Document originated: | 20 December 2002
|
| Deposited in Parliament: | 15 January 2003
|
| Department: | Trade and Industry
|
| Basis of consideration: | EM of 31 January 2003
|
| Previous Committee Report: | None
|
| To be discussed in Council: | None planned
|
| Committee's assessment: | Politically important
|
| Committee's decision: | Cleared
|
Background
10.1 The Structural Funds are the main sources of finance
to reduce disparities in development and to promote economic and
social cohesion in the EU. Gender equality is a key objective
and this dimension must be built into Structural Funds operations.
The document
10.2 "Gender mainstreaming" in the context
of the Structural Funds is described by the Commission as:
"ensuring that all general measures and operations
openly and actively take into account — during planning,
implementation, monitoring and evaluation - their effects on the
respective situations of women and men. It also involves the complementary
design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of specific
measures and operations to promote equality and to assist women
to participate and benefit equally. Overall, plans and programmes
should contribute to improved equality between men and women,
and should be able to demonstrate this impact, prior to, during
and after implementation."
10.3 The Communication reviews to what extent Structural
Funds programming for 2000-2006 has taken account of gender mainstreaming.
It records progress, with examples of good practice (many from
the UK) and areas of slow progress. The document is intended as
an input into the mid-term review of the Structural Funds in 2003.
10.4 The document deals first with the concentration
of gender equality measures in European Social Fund operations,
particularly in human resources development, but notes fewer measures
under the European Regional Development Fund, the European Agricultural
Guidance and Guarantee Fund and the Financial Instrument of Fisheries
Guidance. In the majority of programmes connections between gender
equality and other themes such as sustainable development or "supporting
the knowledge society" are missing. The Commission then discusses
a strategy to achieve gender equality with, first, a dual approach
involving integration of gender equality into all actions and
programmes together with specific measures to reduce gender gaps,
and secondly setting targets and indicators.
10.5 The Communication expands on possible improvements
in gender mainstreaming instruments in programming and implementation
through:
- pre-programme evaluation;
- partnerships with gender equality experts;
- gender balance in programme monitoring committees and participation
of gender equality experts;
- gender mainstreaming training;
- resources for specific gender equality promotional activity;
and
- project selection criteria, information and publicity concerning
gender equality.
10.6 The document concludes with a number of exhortations
to Member States on seeking to improve gender equality and on
improving gender mainstreaming, and making it visible in Structural
Funds activity now and in the future.
The Government's view
10.7 The Minister of State for the Regions and Employment
Relations, Department of Trade and Industry (Alan Johnson) tells
us that this is purely a factual document which has no new policy
or financial implications.
Conclusion
10.8 Improving the situation of women in society is
an important objective and this document is a laudable attempt
to improve the automatic integration of that objective into co-financed
Structural Funds activity. Whilst wishing to draw the attention
of Members to the Communication, we are content to clear it.
| 
