13 January 2008

Review of the implementation by the Member States and the EU

institutions of the Beijing Platform for Action

WOMEN IN POLITICAL DECISION- MAKING

Monitoring Report by the Slovenian Presidency

Prepared by: Dr. Milica Antić Gaber, Sara Rozman and Maja Šepetavc, University of

Ljubljana, Faculty of Arts

I. Introduction

The position of women in political decision making is a constant concern of EU at least from

Beijing conference in 1995 on. There were annual reviews of implementation of Beijing

Platform of Action in the Member States in the years 1996, 1997 and 1998. In 1998 the

decision to prepare a simple set of indicators and benchmarking in the critical area of Women

in decision making had been accepted. During the Finnish presidency the indicators were

developed and Review of the implementation by the Member States and the European

Institutions had been adopted together with a set of conclusions.

Monitoring of this process during the Slovenian Presidency has been done on the basis of nine

indicators developed by Finnish experts in 1999. The 2007 monitoring report is a follow up of

the issue of women in decision-making connected to the strategic objectives in area G Women

in power and decision-making in the Beijing Platform for Action.

Slovenia collected the data for all (nine) indicators and presented them in the report. This data

is also presented in the report for the purpose of further comparisons. The main sources for

this report are the European Commissions’ “Database on women and men in decision-

making” (data collected between 1st August and 31st October 2007) and the questionnaire

prepared by the Slovenian Presidency (based on the Finnish questionnaire from 1999). The

data for indicators 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 has been updated (from the Finnish report and the

“Syracuse paper”) mainly by the data from the “Database on Women in Decision Making”.

Data for the indicators 2, 3 and 4 are based on data received from the Member States by the

questionnaire in November and December 2007.

Nine presented indicators give us the opportunity to measure how far we are from goals set by

governments in their national and international commitments and to assess progress in the

area of the position of women in decision making in all 27 Member States.

Monitoring report is based on the following nine indicators:

1. The proportion of women in the single/lower houses of the national/federal Parliaments of

the Member States and in the European Parliament

2. The proportion of women in the regional Parliaments of the Member States where

appropriate

3. The proportion of women in the local assemblies in the Member States

4. Policies to promote a balanced participation in political elections

5. The proportion of women in the members of the national/ federal governments and the

proportion of women members in the European Commission

6. The number of women and men senior/junior ministers in the different fields of action

(portfolios/ministries) of the national/federal governments of the Member States

7. Proportion of the highest ranking women civil servants

8. The distribution of the highest ranking women civil servants in different fields of action

9. The proportion of women in the members of the Supreme Courts of the Member States and

the proportion of women of the members in the European Court of Justice and the Court of

First Instance.

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II. Monitoring the political commitments in the field of women’s participation in

political decision making

Participation of women in decision making process is one of important factors when

discussing the position of women in particular country and/or in the European Union. The

field of political decision making is important particularly from the reason that politics is very

important field of everyday life of every citizen – it namely affects our daily life in every

sphere of it. Politics is about our common good and it is very important to be aware that we

all have to participate in “making” this common good if we want to create best solutions for

the majority of the citizens regardless of their nationality, religion, race, sex and other

personal characteristic. It seems that women in many countries still have not reached the level

of their participation/presence/representation at which their voice have a duly weight. It seems

that there are still situations in which women are highly educated, fully employed, publicly

visible actors but poorly represented in political decision making bodies. In different countries

there are different reasons for this situation: there may be cultural, religious, social/economic

or political obstacles that stay before women’s higher engagement in the field of politics.

Each country has to make their own analysis of the particular situation and defined the way

(actors, policies, measures, etc.) which can lead to real equality of women and men in this

field. And as “Syracuse paper” states – there is still a way to go to ensure a balanced

representation of women and men in political decision-making.

For more successful monitoring of the position of women in political decision making and to

enforce the progress in this regard Council of the European Union made few commitments:

- recalls the commitment of the Member States to achieve the equal participation of

women and men at all levels of power and decision-making, as stated in the Beijing

PfA and encourages the Member States to take the necessary measures;

- urges Governments and encourages the political parties and social partners to adopt

further active measures and strategies to reach the goal of equal participation;

- encourages the Member States to consider reviewing their national data collection

systems so that regular statistics can made be available on an annual basis on the

proposed nine indicators.

To see what were the changes from 1999 Finnish report Slovenian report uses the data from

intermediate revision of the process which was done during the Italian Presidency, presented

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at the conference 2003 and known as the “Syracuse paper”. The main findings of the Syracuse

paper from 2003 are the following:

- There has been an increase of women in national Parliaments, but still 7 out of 15

Member States have less than 20% women as members of Parliament;

- Women's representation in regional Parliaments is almost unchanged for both "high-

level" and "low-level" countries. There are a few remarkable exceptions with an

increase in the number of women from 10% to almost 30 %;

- Several countries have introduced new legislation in the area of equal representation at

regional/national or European level. Some countries report that the use of quotas by

political parties has contributed to an increased number of women in national and/or

regional Parliaments

- There has been a slight shift in the type of policy areas to which women Ministers are

appointed. Women Ministers are more likely to take up positions in areas other than

the socio-cultural field, such as economic functions and infrastructure.

From the years 2004 and 2007 there are new Member States in the European Union which

now consists of 27 countries. How this enlargement affects the macro picture of the position

of women in decision making process and what is the situation in each Member State this

report is to show when presenting all nine indicators and progress in each of them.

The result of our revision of the process is not a univocal. There were changes in many

directions and it is hard to say un-problematically whether to better or to worse. There are for

example far more Member Sates than in 2003 which have less than 20% of women in their

national parliaments (from eleven only three from the “old” members) on the one side but on

the other absolute leader at the list - Sweden (47%) is now joined by Finland with 42% and

big step has been made in Spain (36%) where representation of women jumped by almost

eight percentage points.

There is also a steady improvement in the position of women in the national governments

from one government (Sweden) in the period of 1994/95, two (Sweden and Finland) in 1999,

three in 2003 (Sweden, Finland and Germany) to four in 2007 (Finland, Sweden, The

Netherlands and Austria) with more than 40% of women in it. There is also an absolute record

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achieved by Finnish women in the government where they consist 65% of all ministerial

positions. Steady improvement is also observed in the case of European Commission, from 2

women in 1993/94 to eight in 2007.

It is interesting to see that there are more countries with some kind of gender quotas and more

countries with some kind of special measures or policies for promotion of gender balance in

political decision making. From some reports of the MS one can conclude that special

legislation concerning gender balance in decision making would undauntedly lead to better

representation of women in elected parliaments. This is for example approved by Belgian case

when after they adopted obligatory quotas for the election at the local level the percentage of

women there reached more than 30 percent. But on the other hand there are some examples of

the MS with no such regulations and not that bad situation concerning women in politics.

All in all it seems that any kind of positive measures, strategies, machineries can be effective.

It is up to the particular country and its important actors to choose what can be an effective

measure in particular set of political arrangements. The worse is to leave it to the spontaneous

change to do the job.

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III. Analysis of indicators

INDICATOR I. The proportion of women in the single/lower houses of the national/federal Parliaments of the Member States and in the European Parliament

The data from 1999 shows that the critical mass of 30% women in parliaments was reached

by five countries: Sweden, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands and Germany. In 2003 seven

countries - Austria, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, Denmark and Sweden fall

in the cluster of more than 30%. The data from 2003 indicates slight progress.

The statistic from 2007 shows that the highest representation of women in parliaments can be

found in Sweden (47%) and Finland (42%), followed by the Netherlands (39%), Denmark

(37%), Spain (36%), Belgium (35%), Austria (32%) and Germany (32%). The critical mass of

30% is obtained in 8 countries which show no major improvement compared to 2003 data

collection, especially taking into account the fact, that in 2004 ten new countries joined the

European Union, following two more in 2007. In 2003 only Spain is in the cluster of more

than 20% but less than 30%, but in 2007 we can find seven countries in this category, four of

them being new member states (Lithuania, Bulgaria, Estonia and Poland). 11 countries have

less than 20% but more than 10% women in their Parliaments: Latvia, Slovakia, France, Italy,

Greece, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Ireland, Slovenia, Hungary and Romania. Malta is the only

county having less than 10% women in the Parliament (9%).

Among the new Member States who joined the EU in 2004 and 2007, the highest proportion

of women in parliaments can be found in Lithuania (24%) and Bulgaria (22%), closely

following are Estonia (21%) and Poland (20%). Malta is the only country among the new

Member States who falls in the cluster with less than 10%.

Through the different periods of data gathering, we can see balanced improvement of some

countries, like Portugal (13,9% in 1999, 19,6% in 2003 and 27% in 2007), Spain (22% in

1999, 28,2% in 2003 and 36% in 2007) and Luxembourg (16,7% in 1999 and 23,33% in

2007).

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Table I/1: The cluster of Member States with higher/lover female representation in the single/ lower houses of the national/federal Parliaments 1992-95, 1999, 2003 and 2007

Category / Year 1992-95 1999 2003 2007more than 40% Sweden Sweden 42,7% Sweden 45% Sweden 47%

Finland 42%

more than 30 % DenmarkFinland

The Netherlands

Denmark 37,4%Finland 37%

The Netherlands 36%

Germany 30,9%

Denmark 38%Finland 37%

The Netherlands 35%

Belgium 33,9%Germany 32,3%

Austria 32%

The Netherlands 39%

Denmark 37%Spain 36%

Belgium 35%Austria 32%

European Parliament 31%Germany 32%

more than 20% GermanyAustriaSpain

Luxembourg

Austria 27,9%Belgium 23,3%

Spain 22%

Spain 28,2% Portugal 27%Lithuania 24%Luxembourg

23,33%1

Bulgaria 22%Estonia 21%Poland 20%

United Kingdom 20%

less than 20% ItalyIreland

PortugalBelgium

United Kingdom

United Kingdom 18,4%

Luxembourg 16,7%Portugal 13,9%

Ireland 12%Italy 11,1%

France 10,9%

Portugal 19,6%United Kingdom

18%Ireland 13,2%France 12,3%

Latvia 19%Slovakia 19%France 18%Italy 17%

Greece 16%Czech Republic

15%Cyprus 14%Ireland 13%

Slovenia 12%Hungary 11%Romania 11%

less than 10% GreeceFrance

Greece 6,6% Italy 9,6%Greece 9%

Malta 9%

Source for the year 1992-1995 and 1999: Presidency report on "Women in the decision-making process" in the Member States and the European Institutions (doc. 11829/99), 1999.Source for the year 2003:Women in decision-making process, Conference, Syracuse 12th September 2003. Update of elected indicators on women in political decision-making, 2003.Source for the year 2007:European Commission, DG EMPL, Database on women and men in decision-making, 2007

1 Data sent by MS as a response to the first draft of this report.

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The situation of representation of women in the European Parliament is slightly but steadily

rising from 27,5% in 1999 to 29,7% in the period 1999-2004 to 31% in 2007.

Table I/2: The proportion of women in the European Parliament

Year 1996 1999-2004 2007European Parliament 27,5% 29,7% 31%Source: European Commission, DG EMPL, Database on women and men in decision-making, 2007

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INDICATOR II: Proportion of women in the regional Parliaments of the Member States, where appropriate

A region was defined as being one step below the federal or national level in a political- administrative hierarchy and having its own elective Parliament (regional or provincial Parliament / assembly).

There is not a regional level in all Member States.

Before 2004 only in nine Member States (Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Austria, France, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Portugal) regional Parliaments existed, to which members are elected directly by general elections. In Ireland the members of regional Parliaments are not elected directly by general elections. The highest proportion of women in regional Parliaments around years 1999 and 2003 was found in Sweden (more than 40%). According to table II/1, a big progress has been made in France (from 19,8% in 1999, 47,4% in 2003 to 49% in 2006 and 48 % in 2007), Austria (from 24,3% in 1999 to 34% in 2003, 30 % in 2006 and 31,6 % in 2007) and Spain (from 19,8% in 1999, 31,5% in 2003 to 39% in 2006 and 40 % in 2007).

On the other hand, the proportion of women members of the regional Parliaments in Italy reduced from 11,7% in 1999 to 8,7% in 2003, and increased back to 12% in 2006 and 13 % in 2007.

In 2006, the official data existed for regional Parliaments in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Spain, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Slovakia, The Netherlands and United Kingdom.2

Among new Member States who joined the EU in or after 2004, in 2006 the highest proportion of women in regional Parliaments was found in Poland (17%) and Czech Republic (15%). In 2007, the highest proportion of women in regional Parliaments can be found in France (48 %), Sweden (47, 6 %) and Spain (40 %). Among newly joined countries most women in regional Parliaments can be found in Slovakia (19,1%), Poland (17 %), Czech Republic (16 %) and Romania (15,7%). In Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia there is no regional level.

It is difficult to make a completely reliable interpretation of this indicator as not all the Member States have sent the questionnaire back. Some data has been gathered by the questionnaire and some data was found on the official European Commission web page. Therefore the data base in not complete and the conclusions can be made on the basis of received information only. However, through all this time Scandinavian countries are those with the highest proportion of women members in the regional Parliaments. As already mentioned, France, Austria and Spain have made an incredible progress according to this information. Some of the new Member States must not be forgotten: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania where the number of women members of the regional Parliaments is slowly but firmly increasing and can be taken as a positive example to other new Member States.

2 Data for 2006 gathered by the European Commission, DG EMPL.

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The number of women members of the regional Parliaments is still underestimated. Besides certain Member States, most EU Member States with regional level need to do more in order to improve female representation in decision-making.

Table II/1: Women's proportion in regional Parliaments of the Member States3

Women's proportion in regional Parliaments of the Member States where appropriate4

1999 20035 2006 2007

more than 40% Sweden 47,8% France 47,4%

Sweden 47%

France 49%Sweden 47%Finland 43%

France 48 %Sweden 47,6%Wales 46,7%Spain 40 %

more than

30%

Germany 30, 8%

United Kingdom (Wales 50%, Scotland

39,5%, Northern Ireland 13,8%)Austria 34%Spain 31,5%

Germany 30,8%

Spain 39%

Denmark 34%

Germany 33%

Belgium 31%

Austria 30%

Scotland 33,3%

Denmark 33 %

Germany 31 %

Austria 31,6%

Belgium 30%

more than

20%

The Netherlands 29,4%

United Kingdom 29%Denmark 28,2%Austria 24,3%Belgium 21,6%

The Netherlands 28,4%

Denmark 27%

Belgium 22,1%

The Netherlands

28%

The Netherlands

27,6%

Greece 20 %

less than

20%

France 19, 8 %

Spain 19, 8 %

Italy 11,7%

Portugal 11,7%

Portugal (Azores 7,7%,

Madeira 16,3%)

Greece 18 %United Kingdom

18%Poland 17%

Portugal 17%Czech Republic

15%Hungary 12%

Italy 12%Slovakia 12%

Slovakia 19,1%

Portugal 19 %

Poland 17 %

Northern Ireland

16,7%

Czech Republic 16

%

Romania 15,7%

Italy 13 %

3 In the questionnaire, Greece gave us the information there is no regional level in that Member State. However, the report from 1999 mentioned there was a regional level (prefectural level) in Greece and stated percentage of women participating in regional decision-making as well (first column of the table 1). The percentage for Greece is also available for the year 2006 and 2007 (data gathered by European Commission, DG EMPL). It is obvious there are some misunderstandings about regional level.. Some Member States name it differently than others. Therefore the interpretation and the meaning of the regional level in some Member States vary. 4 Data for years 1999 and 2003 taken from previous reports: Presidency Report- Review of the implementation by the Member States and the European Institutions of the Beijing Platform for Action , 1999, and Women in decision-making processes- background paper for the conference, Syracuse, 2003. Data for 2006. gathered by European Commission, DG EMPL.Some data gathered by the questionnaire on women in decision-making that was sent to all Member States by Slovene Office for Equal Opportunity in November 2007. Some Member States gave us different information about women participation for years 1999, 2003 and 2006 than those stated in previous reports. Only those information for certain Member State with remarkable differences will be mentioned in the continuation. However, some Member States did not reply to the questionnaire. For those Member States data for 2007 (collected between 1 Aug – 31 Oct 2007) was gathered by European Commission, DG EMPL. Table II/1 shows only final percentage of women in regional Parliaments of the Member States. Accurate information on data gathering for all Member States for certain years is included in table II/2.5 No data for Greece for 2003.

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Hungary 12 %

less than 10% Greece 8,5 % Italy 8,7%

Table II/2: The proportion of women in the regional Parliaments of the Member States

The proportion of women in the regional Parliaments of the Member States6

Member State

1999

women total total% women men

2003

women total total% women men

2006

women %

2007

women total total % women men

Austria NA NA NA NA NA NA 30 31,6 142 308

Belgium 21,4 84 309 30,57 124 283 31 308 NA NA

Bulgaria NR NR NR NR NR NR ND NR NR NRCyprus - - - - - - - - - -

CzechRepublic 14,49 97 578 15,110 102 573 15 1611 NA NA

Denmark 2912 110 265 2713 102 272 3414 3315 NA NA

Estonia - - - - - --

- - -

6 Data for 1999, 2003 and 2007 column gathered by the questionnaire on women in decision-making that was sent to all Member States. Some Member States could not give us information on exact years (e.g. instead of information for 2007 they provided us with information for 2006 instead, depending on election time in a certain Member State). For years 1999 and 2003, data gathered by the questionnaire can differ from data gathered by previous reports (table 1). Data for 2006 column was gathered by European Commission, DG EMPL. Some Member States did not reply to the questionnaire, therefore data for 2007 (collected between 1 Aug – 31 Oct 2007) for those Member States was also gathered by European Commission, DG EMPL. These exceptions are marked in the following footnotes of this table.7 Data for women %, total women and men from 2004 (gathered by the questionnaire).8 Data for 2007 gathered by European Commission, DG EMPL. 9 Data for women %, total women and men from 2000 (gathered by the questionnaire).10 Data for women %, total women and men from 2004(gathered by the questionnaire)11 Data for 2007 gathered by European Commission, DG EMPL12 Data for women %, total women and men from 1997 (gathered by the questionnaire)13 Data for women %, total women and men from 2001(gathered by the questionnaire)14 Data from 2005. 15 Data for 2007 gathered by European Commission, DG EMPL.

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Finland - - - - - --

- - -

France 27,516 517 1363 47,617 895 985 49 4818 NA NA

Germany NA NA NA 31,719 582 1255 33 3120 NA NA

Greece 8,521- - - - -

18 2022- -

Hungary 8,923 NA NA 11,724 NA NA 12 1225 NA NA

Ireland NR NR NR NR NR NR ND NR NR NR

Italy NR NR NR NR NR NR 12 1326 NR NRLatvia - - - - - - - - - -

Lithuania - - - - - - - - - -

Luxembourg- - - - - - - - - -

Malta - - - - - - - - - -

Poland NR NR NR NR NR NR 17 1727 NR NR

Portugal 14,228 16 97 11,729 14 106 17 1930 NA NA

Romania NA NA NA NA NA NA ND 15,7 215 1157

Slovakia NA NA NA NA NA NA 12 19,131 66 369Slovenia - - - - - - - - - -

Spain NR NR NR NR NR NR 39 4032 NR NR

Sweden 48,2 790 850 4733 789 867 47 47,634 789 867The

Netherlands 29,7 225 532 3035 224 522 28 27,636 211 533United Scotland Scotland Scotland

16 Data for women %, total women and men from 1998 (gathered by the questionnaire)31 Data on women %, total women and men from 2006 (gathered by the questionnaire). 30 Data for 2007 garthered by European Commission, DG EMPL.29 Data on women %, total women and men from 2004 (gathered by the questionnaire)28 Data on women %, total women and men from 2000 (gathered by the questionnaire)27 Data for 2007 gathered by European Commission, DG EMPL,.26 Data for 2007 gathered by European Commission, DG EMPL.25 Data for 2007 gathered by European Commission, DG EMPL,.24 Data for women %, total women and men from 2002 (gathered by the questionnaire)23 Data for women %, total women and men from 1998 (gathered by the questionnaire)22 Data for 2007 gathered by European Commission, DG EMPL.21 Data for Greece from Finnish report from 1999.20 Data for 2007 gathered by European Commission, DG EMPL.19 Data for women %, total women and men from 2005 (gathered by questionnaire)17 Data for women %, total women and men from 2004 (gathered by the questionnaire)18 Data for 2007 gathered by European Commission, DG EMPL.32 Data for 2007 gathered by European Commission, DG EMPL.33 Data on women %, total women and men from 2002 (gathered by the questionnaire)34 Data on women %, total women and men from 2006 (gathered by the questionnaire).35 Data on women %, total women and men from 2002 (gathered by the questionnaire)36 Data on women %, total women and men from 2006 (gathered by the questionnaire).

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Kingdom

NA NA NA NA NA NA 18 33,3Wales 46,7

Northern Ireland

16,7

43Wales 28Northern Ireland 18

86Wales 32Northern Ireland 90

NA- no answer, meaning the questionnaire was received back, but some questions were not answeredNR- no response given, meaning the questionnaire was not received back from the certain Member State at allND- no data available─ no regional ParliamentsINDICATOR III. The proportion of women in the local assemblies of the Member States

The highest figure for the representation of women at the local assemblies between 1999 and

2003 can be found in Sweden and Latvia. In addition after 2006 data collection this are the

only two countries that fall in the cluster with more than 40% women in the local assemblies.

The critical mass of 30% is exceeded in just two other Member States, Finland (36,4%) and

Belgium (30,5%). Most of the countries fall in the group of more than 20% but less than 30%;

here we can find Estonia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Slovenia,

Cyprus, Luxembourg and Malta.

Among the new member States who joined the EU in or after 2004, in 2006 the highest

proportion of women in local assemblies can be found in Latvia (42,26%), Estonia (29,6%),

Czech Republic (24,97%), Lithuania (22%), Slovenia (21,5%), Cyprus (20,7%) and Malta

(20%).

The positive progress from 1999 to 2006 data gathering can be seen in a group where the

proportion of women is less than 20%. According to 2006 data collection only Romania and

France fall in this group.

The collected data from 2006 also shows that no Member State falls in the group with less

than 10% women in the local assemblies which is a good sign.

Table III/1: Women’s proportion in local assemblies of the member States

Institution Local Assemblies1999 2003 2006

more than 40% Sweden 42% Sweden37 42,3%Latvia 41,15%

Latvia 42,26%Sweden 42%

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more than 30% Finland38 31,5% Finland39 34,4% Finland40 36,4%Belgium 30,5%

more than 20% Estonia 28,3%Denmark 27%41

The Netherlands42 22,7%Hungary43 22,6%

Czech Republic44 20,52%

Estonia 28,3%Belgium45 27,3%Denmark 27%46

Hungary47 25,5%Germany48 24,1%

The Netherlands49 23,5%Czech Republic50 22,70%

Lithuania51 21%

Estonia 29,6%Denmark 27%52

The Netherlands 26,0%Czech Republic 24,97%

Lithuania53 22%Slovenia 21,5%Cyprus 20,7%

Luxembourg5455 20,6%Malta 20%56

less than 20% Belgium57 19%Lithuania58 18,0%Cyprus59 17,2%

Luxembourg 15%60

Portugal61 14,1%Slovenia62 12%Greece6310,8%64

Cyprus65 18,6%Greece6618%67

Portugal68 17,8%Slovenia69 13,1%Greece707112%72

Romania73 11,55%France74 10,9%

37 Data for 2002.38 Data for 1996.39 Data for 2000.40 Data for 2004.41 Data for 1997.42 Data for 1998.43 Data for 1998.44 Data for 1998.45 Data sent by MS as a response to the first draft of this report.46 Data for 2001.47 Data for 2002.48 Data for 2002.49 Data for 2002.50 Data for 2002.51 Data for 2002.52 Data for 2005.53 Data for 2007.54 Data sent gby MS as a response to the first draft of this report.55 Data for 2005.56 Data sent by MS as a response to the first draft of this report.57 Data sent by MS as a response to the first draft of this report.58 Data for 2000.59 Data for 1996.60 Presidency report on "Women in the decision-making process" in the Member States and the European Institutions from 1999 operates with a 10% women sitting in local assemblies in Luxembourg.61 Data for 1997.62 Data for 1998.63 Data for 1998.64 Proportion of women in prefectural level.65 Data for 2001.66 Data for 2002.67 Proportion of women in prefectural level.68 Data for 200169 Data for 2002.70 Data sent by MS as a response to the first draft of this report.71 Data for 2002.72 Proportion of women in municipal level. 73 Data for 2007.74 Data for 2004.

14

less than 10% France75 768,6%Greece77787,11%79

France80 9,8%

no data available SlovakiaAustria81

Latvia

SlovakiaAustria

SlovakiaAustria

no response SpainBulgariaItalyMaltaIrelandRomaniaGermany

SpainBulgariaItalyMaltaIrelandRomania

SpainBulgariaItalyIrelandPortugalGermany

Source: Data gathered by the questionnaire on women in decision-making that was sent to all Member States by Slovene Office for Equal Opportunity in November 2007.

75 Data for 1998.76 Presidency report on "Women in the decision-making process" in the Member States and the European Institutions from 1999 operates with a 22% women sitting in local assemblies in France.77 Data sent by MS as a response to the first draft of this report.78 Data for 1998.79 Proportion of women in municipal level.80 Data for 2001.81 As a result of the federal structure of Austria this competence belongs to the federal states of Austria. In this regard there are no available data.

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INDICATOR IV: Policies to promote a balanced participation in political elections

This indicator describes policies and measures taken by Governments to reach a gender

balance in Parliaments at the national/federal, regional and local level.

What kind of policies and measures can be/are effective? There are several policies and/or

measures that can be applied in politics either by the law, governmental activities, party

policies or others that can have an effect on improving the situation of women in decision

making. These are gender quotas set by different actors, targets or goals set by different

actors, positive action programs, sanctions or rewards.

There were some interesting observations in the Council of the European Union Report from

the year 1999 from which one can track three ways in which gender balanced participation

can be achieved: 1. through the activities of women’s groups and measures taken by political

parties (in this group of countries are these in which the proportion of women in national

assemblies is the highest). Political culture in this group of countries (Sweden, Finland,

Denmark, Netherlands) is more inclined to targets, action plans and less to legislative

regulations; 2. through legislative regulations - through amendment of the existing relevant

legislation in which the demand for gender quotas for the election at local, regional and

national level can be formulated (Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal). In these countries the

representation of women in politics increased after the implementation of these regulations;

and 3. through party quotas (in Austria, Germany and some others); the way in which quotas

are defined depend on electoral system and on the way in which other regulations related to

quotas (sanctions/rewards) exist. In the two mentioned countries this measure has been found

effective.

The data from the “Syracuse paper” in 2003 shows some progress in this regard:

1. several countries (Greece, France, UK and Belgium) have introduced new legislation

on the specific area of balanced representation at the regional/national and/or

European level.

2. many countries report on governmental campaigns or governmental financial support

to political parties or women's organizations for campaigns to raise the number of

women in political decision-making.

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3. Austria and Germany report that more political parties now use quotas for the

candidate lists and they find this an important tool to increase the number of women in

national Parliaments.

Finnish Report and “Syracuse paper” have dealt with so called old Europe and only 15

Member States with no big differences. After the enlargement the EU situation has changed

considerably and European Union now has 27 Member States. Let’s then briefly present this

situation because nowadays EU is more plural than the one from 1999 or 2003. This plurality

concerns different history of development of democratic institutions and as far as this report is

concerned different position of women in the field of education, employment and in public

life and politics. These differentiations also influence different understanding of the concept

of gender equality differently developed institutional machineries which deal with question,

etc.

Policies and measures found in member states

After the questionnaire has been received from the 22 Member states (Bulgaria, Ireland, Italy,

Poland, Spain have not returned it) we collected the results and we can see that only three

countries (Cyprus, Czech Republic, The Netherlands) report that they do not have any

legislative regulations to promote gender balance in political decision making all other

countries have either quotas, targets or something else. While The Netherlands despite this

fact has overreached or almost reached the critical mass of women in political decision

making (39% (NP), 27% (RP), 26% (LA)) at different levels and reach this stage without

special policies it is the contrary for Cyprus and Check Republic (in both MS there is a

Governmental Plan of Action with set targets) – both countries falls in to the group of

countries with less than 20 percent of women in their parliaments and slightly more that 20

percent of women in the local assemblies.

It is very interesting to note that in 7 countries constitution of the country in some way or

another deal with gender balance in decision making, among them there are two new member

states (Malta and Slovenia). The constitutional dealing with gender balance in decision

making serves as a legal base for the implementation of any kind of the regulation in the state

law which regulates decision making in the country.

17

13 of 22 MS report that have special legislation concerning gender balance in decision

making, five of them from new MS. 5 MS report that their national legislation have quota

regulation (numerical share of each gender for the candidate lists) and two among them

(Belgium and Portugal) have sanctions for violation of the rule as well. In Belgium the

candidate list which has not contain required share of each gender is declared invalid and in

Portugal the lists which do not respect the rule (the rule states that the electoral lists, with 3 or

more candidates, for the legislative, local and European elections must ensure a minimum

representation of 33% of each sex) , the public financing of the electoral campaigns might be

reduced.

Targets are not that much obliged in comparison with quotas, they are set as goals, but in

some countries they have at least the same effect as quotas have in others (where there are no

sanctions or rewards). If we sum the countries with either quotas or targets (three) as a

regulation set by the governments (in the law or in a plan) there are eight countries which has

one or another instrument to ensure better representation of women in decision making which

is less than one third of all MS.

Governmental Action Plan (AP) is special strategy set by government or ministers to reach

the gender balance in decision making. 11 MS report that there is such a plan in their country

or is under construction (Hungary). The reports from the countries show that variety of the

planned activities:

- in Czech Republic AP provide active support, through specific measures, for the selection

of suitable women candidates for positions in government bodies and senior positions in

ministries, and in their subordinate administrative authorities and institutions. It also evaluates

the measures adopted to achieve the balanced representation of women and men in senior

positions and work teams.

- in Cyprus National Action Plan for Gender Equality was adopted in 2007; the plan sets the

goals, the actions and the agencies included in the implementation of each action. Actions in

this field include among others: a) sensitization / information campaigns through seminars,

mass media, publications, etc.; b) stablishment of a data bank for data collection, monitoring

and assessment and dissemination of relevant information; c) 40% target for the participation

of women in political life; d) 30% quota for women in ballots in community and municipal

elections and parliamentary and euro-parliamentary elections; e) 30% quota for appointment

18

of women in governmental bodies / committees / councils; f) training programs, seminars for

the empowerment of women to become more involved in political life;

- in Denmark in May 2006 the Minister for Gender Equality proposed an amendment to the

Gender Discrimination Act, which was passed by a broad majority in Folketinget. The

amendment means that organizations etc. are now required to nominate equal numbers of

women and men for municipal as well as regional councils, boards and committees. These

rules correspond to the nomination rules that apply to the ministerial councils, boards and

committees, and thus they exempt democratically elected members.

- in Finland the Government as a whole undertakes to make determined efforts to promote

equality in all its decision-making. The Government will systematically advance women’s

careers and promotion to managerial positions both in the public and private sectors.

- in France government there is a commission for monitoring equality of women and men.

- in Lithuania one of the main directions of the National Program on Equal Opportunities for

Women and Men for 2005-2009, adopted by the Government is promotion of balanced

participation in politics and decision making. It also contains concrete measures and are

carried out every year.

- in Luxembourg the national plan of action for equality between men and women was

adopted by the Government in February 2006 mentions gender balance in decision making

and is taken in charge in paragraph 7 of this national plan of action.

- in The Netherlands the Government’s Plan of Action states that the government will aim at

the emancipation of women in general. Announced is that the plans will be elaborated in a

separate Plan of Action for Emancipation.

- in Sweden – in a Bill to Parliament (1987/88:105) targets were set to reach equal

representation of women and men on the governing boards of central and regional

government agencies within ten years. Interim targets were also set, 1992 -30% women and

70% men and 1995 -40%women and 60% men. The interim targets were met. The final target

50% women and 50%men in 1998 was not met. However, in 2001 the target of 50% women

and 50% men was met at regional level and since then there is an equal distribution of women

and men on regional governing boards. At national level the final target is still not met. In

2005 -49% of the representatives on central government governing boards were women.

- in Latvia Article 2.1.2. of the Concept on the Implementation Of Gender Equality (the main

policy document for implementation of gender equality) lists lack of equality in participation

and representation as one of country’s problems to be tackled. It specifically indicates the lack

of a de facto gender balance and the heavy male overrepresentation in politics, Saeima (the

19

Parliament), Cabinet of Ministers. It also points to vertical segregation in the Civil Service –

while there are more women than men, senior decision-making positions are most frequently

held by men, and in municipalities where the same phenomenon is observed.

- in Romania The National Strategy on equal opportunities between women and men 2006 -

2009 and the Action Plan stipulates “Balanced participation of women and men in all aspects

of the social, political and economic life is more than necessary in order to attain

competitiveness and long-lasting development, as well as to achieve and consolidate a real

democracy. For this purpose objective 1 says that both genders should be represented at all

levels of the decision-making process and objective 2 says that ensuring balanced

representation of women and men in the decision-making process can be achieved by legal

interventions, by awareness-raising and information campaigns, by positive action for women

and men alike and by mobilizing the civil Society The essential objective is to make sure that

women and med equally exert power and influence and that women are not limited to

subordination positions in the decision-making process. It also mentions specific actions:

organizing awareness-raising campaigns and promoting positive actions regarding the

increase of the degree of participation of women in the decision-making process.

14 MS report that have some other measures to promote gender balance in decision making in

their countries. These are:

- in Estonia - promotion of Gender Equality, under § 9. State and local government agencies

as persons promoting gender equality, is stated, that: The membership of committees,

councils and other collegial bodies formed by state and local government agencies shall, if

possible, include both sexes.

- in Finland - Government Plan of Action contain different forums and campaigns during

2007-2008. This was also one of the main gender equality items during the Finnish EU-

Presidency, autumn 2006.

- in Lithuania - Number of projects aimed at promotion of women in politics and decision

making are supported by European Social Fund. One of the Examples of good practices –

network of clubs of women politicians in all regions of Lithuania established. These clubs

unify women of different political parties and are aimed on promotion of women in politics.

- in Luxembourg the national action plan contain the financing of a special training for

female candidates in elections. The measure is financed by the ministry for Equal

opportunities.

20

- in Hungary - the biggest government party has introduced a 20 % quota concerning its

candidates and managing bodies.

- in Germany - The political parties have different party-intern regulations in order to

increase the proportion of women in the parliament and in other leading positions.

- in Slovakia - activities to support more women I decision making by NGO´s projects

- in Sweden - An interim target set up by the Government in 1999 was that at least 40 per cent

of board members would be women by 2003. Women’s representation was 28 per cent at the

time. The 40 per cent target was achieved in June 2003. In May 2006, the proportion of

women in companies wholly owned by the Swedish state was 47 per cent. These results for

state-owned companies have been achieved through goal-oriented and active corporate

governance. To examine the distribution of women and men on power positions in public and

private life , the Government has appointed an inquiry with the task of mapping out the

distribution of women and men in top positions in the Government, the Parliament, the courts,

the public agencies, the regional and local level, publicly-owned companies, private

enterprises, political parties, the social partners, universities, schools, etc. A report will be

presented to the Government early in 2008.

- in United Kingdom - positive measures permitted by the legislation includes training and

mentoring, techniques such as ‘twinning’ and ‘zipping’.

- in Latvia - The Program for Gender Equality in Latvia (2007-2010) indicates the need to

improve professional and private life reconciliation measure and the need to involve more

men into care, especially, childcare to facilitate women’s careers in all fields of activity.

- in Romania - The Law no. 334/2006 regarding the financing of the actions of political

parties and of the election campaigns in article 14 says: “1.Annually, the political parties

receive subsidiaries form the state budget according to the provisions of the law.

2. The allocated amount granted annually to the political parties cannot exceed 0.04% from

the income foreseen in the state budget. For those political parties that promote women on

the election lists, the allocated amount granted from the state budget will be increased

proportionally with the number of mandates achieved by the women candidates in the

elections.

Apart from that 16 MS report of monitoring this process and 9 that state allocates some

money for these activities.

21

Equality legislation

15 countries (6 new member states) has special equality law and 16 has Governmental Plan of

Action and 9 has both and 12 MS have in their equality legislation mentioned either quota or

targets or other measures to ensure gender balance in political decision making in their

countries and 13 have also monitoring of this process.

We believe that there are no changes to occur in the filed of the representation of women in

political decision making without special effort. Being either on the side of organized women

movement or on the side of political actors in the mainstream politics. These special efforts

can be positive actions, targets, quotas, or similar.

If we put Member Sates into the clusters of the percentage of women in the national

parliament and see what policies to promote gender balance in decision making they have we

can see some interesting observations.

Table IV/1: Clusters of MS with the legislation on GB and other measures

Cluster/women in national parliament

Data for 2007

Legislation on gender balance in decision making

Quotas/targets

Other measures

Equality law

Governmental Action Plan

more than 40%

Sweden 47%

Finland 42%

No

Yes

/Yes

/Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

more than 30 %

The Netherlands

39%

Denmark 37%

Spain 36%

Belgium 35%

Austria 32%

Germany 32%

No

Yes

NR

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

NR

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

NR

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

NR

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

NR

No

Yes

No

more than 20%

Portugal27%

Yes Yes No No Yes

22

Luxembourg 25%

Lithuania 24%

Bulgaria 22%

Estonia 21%

Poland 20%

United Kingdom

20%

No

Yes

NR

No

NR

Yes

No

No

NR

No

NR

No

Yes

Yes

NR

Yes

NR

Yes

No

Yes

NR

Yes

NR

Yes

Yes

Yes

NR

No

NR

Yes

less than 20% Latvia 19%

Slovakia 19%

France 18%

Italy 17%

Greece 16%

Czech Republic

15%

Cyprus 14%

Ireland 13%

Slovenia 12%

Hungary 11%

Romania 11%

No

No

Yes

NR

Yes

No

No

NR

Yes

No

Yes

No

No

/yes

NR

Yes

No

No

NR

Yes

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

NR

No

No

No

NR

No

Yes

Yes

NA

No

Yes

NR

No

No

No

NR

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

NR

Yes

Yes

Yes

NR

Yes

No

Yes

less than 10% Malta 9% Yes NA NA Yes No

We can see that in the category of more than 40% of women in national parliament countries

(Sweden and Finland) have almost all the policies to promote a balanced participation in

political elections. In the category more than 30% of women in national parliament three

(Belgium, Austria and Germany) from five have either quotas or other measures; in the

category more than 20% of women in national parliament all 5 countries (Portugal, Lithuania,

23

Luxemburg, Estonia and United Kingdom) which has sent data have either quotas or other

policies. In the category less than 20% of women in national parliament only 2 have quotas

and 4 have some other measures 2 have neither quotas nor other policies.

From the table above we can conclude that some kind of policy of the promotion of balanced

participation of women in decision making is needed if the country’s aim is to change the un-

balanced situation.

24

INDICATOR V: The proportion of women of the members of the national/ federal governments and the proportion of women members of the European Commission

The proportion of women in the Government is one of the basic indicators of women's participation in political decision-making.

A significant progress has been made since 1994/ 95 when only Sweden managed to attain the goal of balanced participation of women in the Government- that is more than 40% women participation. In 1999 Sweden was followed by Finland and in 2003 Germany joined them with around 44%. In 2007 four Member States managed to achieve this goal: Finland, The Netherlands, Sweden and Austria (Austria made a large step since 1994/95 when there were only around 20% of women members of the national/ federal Governments).

On the other hand, Greece firmly stays the bottom Member State with less than 10% of women members.82 Two Member States have moved up the scale since 1994/95; in 1994/95 period, Italy had only 8% of women members of the national/ federal Governments, and in 2007 this proportion is more than 20%. The other Member State that managed to move up is the United Kingdom- in 1994/95 the proportion of women members of national/federal Governments was only 7%, and by 2007 it increased to more than 30%.

Among new Member States (those who joined the European Union in 2004 or after), the higher proportion of women members of the national/ federal Governments can be found in Latvia (30%), followed by Bulgaria (29%) and Lithuania (26%). The bottom place among new Member States goes to Cyprus with less than 10% of women members of the national/ federal Governments.

Since the 1990s women have won an increasing number of positions in the national/ federal Governments of the Member States. Gender equality policies of the European Union have become one of the most important issues in the last two decades.

The data for this indicator has been taken for years 1994/95 to 2007. In conclusion, it is obvious that Sweden and Finland are Member States with most women in national/federal Governments. Germany and The Netherlands stay close to Scandinavian countries with high number of women members in their Governments. Among new Member States examples of good practice are definitely Latvia, Bulgaria and Lithuania. However, the percentage of women members is still not high enough when compared to targets of different Plans of Action in EU Member States. As in other fields, also in this field under-representation of women cannot stay unnoticeable.

Table V/1: Women's representation in national/ federal Governments in 1994/1995, 1999, 2003 and 200782 Greek representatives sent us the latest information: in January 2008 in Greece there are 15 men ministers and 2 women ministers. Considering only minister positions, the percentage of women ministers rose to 11,8%.

25

Clusters of Member States according to women's representation in national/ federal Governments in 1994/1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007

Women's representation in national/federal

Governments/ year

1994/1995 1999 2003 200783

more than 40% Sweden 50%Sweden 53%

Finland 44%

Sweden 45%Finland 44,4%

Germany 43,6%

Finland 65%The Netherlands 41%

Sweden 41%Austria 40%

more than 30%

Finland 39%

Denmark 35%

The Netherlands

35%

Germany 36%Denmark 35%

United Kingdom 34%

France 32%The Netherlands 31%

The Netherlands 38%

Belgium 33,3%

United Kingdom

31,5%

Spain 35%France 33%

United Kingdom 33%Denmark 32%Germany 30%

Latvia 30%

more than 20%

Luxembourg 25%

Austria 24%

Luxembourg 29%

Italy 22%

Austria 20%

Luxembourg 28,5%Denmark 28%Spain 26,6%France 25,6%Austria 22%

Bulgaria 29%Lithuania 26%Belgium 24%Estonia 21%

Italy 20%Luxembourg 20%

less than 20%

Ireland 19%

Spain 18%

Germany 16%

France 12%

Belgium 12%

Ireland 16%

Belgium 14%

Spain 14%

Portugal 10%

Ireland 12,5%

Portugal 11,5%

Italy 10%

Romania 19%Czech Republic 17%

Poland 17%Ireland 16%Malta 16%

Slovenia 15%Slovakia 14%Hungary 12%Portugal 10%

less than 10%

Portugal 9%Italy 8%

Greece 4%United Kingdom

7%

Greece 9,5% Greece 8,16%Cyprus 8%

Greece 7%

Source: Source for the years 1994/95 and 1999: Presidency report on "Women in the decision-making process" in the Member States and the European Institutions (doc. 11829/99), 1999.Source for the year 2003:Women in decision-making process, Conference, Syracuse 12 th September 2003. Update of elected indicators on women in political decision-making, 2003.Source for 2007:information gathered by European Commission, DG EMPL.

The table below also shows that the proportion of women in EC is in the steady increase. From two in 1993/94 it increased to eight in 2007(information gathered by European Commission, DG EMPL).

83 In France, the government appointed by new president Sarkozy in June 2007 includes more than 30% women compared to 20% previously. In the United Kingdom the government reshuffle implemented by new Prime Minister Brown has also resulted in an increase in the share of women in government, though the change is less dramatic than in France, rising from 28% to 33%.

26

Table V/2: The proportion of women in the European Commission

The proportion of women in the European Commission

Women's representation/ year 1993/1994 1995/1999 2000/2005 2007

2/17 5/20 5/20 8/27

INDICATOR VI: The number of women and men senior / junior ministers in the different fields of action of the national / federal Governments of the Member States

27

The numbers of women and men ministers in different fields of action can be categorized according to the functions of the respective ministries. A typology describing this aspect of political power is included by the BEIS - typology. The BEIS - typology includes four types of state functions:

BASIC FUNCTIONS- foreign and internal affairs, defence, justice etc.ECONOMIC FUNCTIONS- finance, trade, industry, agriculture etc.INFRASTRUCTURE- traffic, communication, environment etc.SOCIO - CULTURAL FUNCTIONS- social affairs, health, children, family, youth, elderly people, education, science, culture, labour, sports etc.

In 1999, there were five Member States (the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany, Finland), where all the tasks of the women ministers include all four types of functions of the state. The women in the Finnish Government were the only ones who held portfolios in all areas of the state functions. Most of the women Ministers in all Member States were responsible for socio-cultural functions and least for economic functions. The exceptions were Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy and Spain, where the majority of women ministers were found in the fields other than the socio-cultural.

In 2003, most women Ministers were still found in socio-cultural field (35%), followed by basic functions (28%), infrastructure (21%) and economic functions (16%).

In 2007 the highest proportion of women Ministers can be found in Finland (60 %) and Sweden (10 out of 22), which represents 45,5 % of all Swedish ministers. Finland and Sweden are followed by The Netherlands (40,7 %), Denmark (36,8 %), Spain (35,1 %) and Austria (35 %). The number of women Ministers in the United Kingdom has almost doubled since 1999 (from 23 to 42 women ministers) - in 2007 there are 32,6 % of women ministers.Among those Member States that joined the EU in 2004 or after that year, the highest proportion of women Ministers can be noticed in Bulgaria (30 %), Latvia (27,8 %) and Lithuania (25,9 %), most of them responsible for socio-cultural functions.

On the other hand, the lowest proportion of women ministers can be found in Romania (0 %), and Greece (4,9 %).84

In 2007, majority of women Ministers from all Member States are still working in the field of socio-cultural functions (36,7 %), in 2007 almost equally followed by infrastructure, basic and economic functions.

This indicator followed the women positions as junior/senior ministers in the different fields of action from 1999 to 2007. It is a fact the most junior/senior positions were entrusted to women in socio-cultural fields. But what is also visible is that their share in this filed is not as high as in the year 1999 when it almost reached 50%. On the other hand, in almost all Member States economic functions are still considered to be male field.85

84 As a response to the first draft, Greek representatives sent us the latest information: in January 2008 in Greece there are 15 men ministers and 2 women ministers. Therefore the percentage of women ministers rose to 11,8%. Two women ministers are said to be responsible for foreign affairs and employment and social protection.

85As a response to the first draft, Malta representative sent us the following explanation: BEIS typology is not applicable in Malta’s case since the Minister of Gozo (in this case a woman) is responsible for all the four functions.

28

Table VI/1: Portfolios of women ministers in Member State Governments

Portfolios of women ministers in Member State Governments

BEIS women ministers 1999 women ministers 2003 women ministers 2007

basic functions 24% 28% 20,7%

Economic functions 13% 16% 17,7%

Infrastructure 14% 21% 21%

socio – cultural function 48% 35% 36,7%

Source for the years 1999 and 2003:Women in decision-making process, Conference, Syracuse 12 th September 2003. Update of elected indicators on women in political decision-making, 2003.For the year 2007 data calculated from the table below.

Table VI/2: Number of women and men ministers in Member States by field of action in 2007 (W= WOMEN; M=MEN)

Number of women and men senior / junior ministers in Member States by field of action in 2007 (W= WOMEN; M=MEN)86

Member State

basic functions

W M

Economic functions

W M

Infra-structure

W M

Socio- cultural functions

W M

Total

W M

Total womenin %

Austria3 5 0 4 0 2 4 2 7 13 35

Belgium1 5 3 4 0 2 1 3 5 14 26,3

Bulgaria8 21 8 20 5 15 10 16 31 72 30

Cyprus1 10 0 6 1 1 2 4 4 21 16

Czech Republic 2 6 0 4 0 2 1 3 3 15 16,7

Denmark 1 4 2 3 1 2 3 3 7 12 36,8

Estonia0 5 0 4 0 1 3 1 3 11 21,4

Finland3 3 1 3 3 1 5 1 12 8 60

France3 12 1 4 3 2 4 4 11 22 33,3

Germany4 12 4 8 2 5 4 7 14 32 30,4

86 Data about women proportion for 2007 was gathered by the European Commission, DG EMPL.

29

Greece1 14 0 12 0 4 1 9 2 39 4,9

Hungary 2 17 0 8 0 2 2 4 4 31 11,4

Ireland0 11 2 7 0 5 3 7 5 30 14,3

Italy 6 33 2 19 1 14 12 16 21 82 20,4

Latvia 4 9 1 6 0 4 5 7 10 26 27,8

Lithuania1 8 2 4 0 4 4 4 7 20 25,9

Luxem-bourg 1 7 0 2 0 1 2 2 3 12 20

Malta1 5 0 7 0 2 2 2 3 16 15,8

Poland5 30 7 27 2 12 6 20 20 89 18,3

Portugal0 18 0 12 2 5 3 11 5 46 9,8

Romania0 6 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 18 0

Slovakia3 10 0 9 0 9 3 8 6 36 14,3

Slovenia0 16 3 7 0 4 4 6 7 33 17,5

Spain6 11 1 5 2 3 4 5 13 24 35,1

Sweden4 4 1 3 1 1 4 4 10 12 45,5

The

Netherlands 3 6 2 4 3 1 3 5 11 16 40,7United

Kingdom 25 49 5 14 4 5 8 19 42 87 32,6Source for the year 2007:European Commission, DG EMPL.

30

INDICATOR VII. Proportion of the highest ranking women civil servants

Proportion of women civil servants in the two highest ranking positions (after the

Minister) of the ministries (appointed, elected or nominated) (central government) and

the respective levels in the European Institutions (A1 and A2).

The data from 1999 shows, that Sweden (39%) was the only country with more then 30% of

women in the highest positions in the ministries. In Portugal Finland, Belgium, United

Kingdom and Austria the proportion of women is more than 10% but less than 20%,

following Germany, Italy, Ireland, France, and Spain with less than 10% women in the

highest positions in the ministries. In 2006 the picture is rather different. Countries with the

highest women’s proportion (with the exception of Sweden and Spain) are actually the

countries, which joined the European Union in 2004 and 2007. At the top of the list we find as

in 1999 Sweden with 65%, followed by two new EU countries - Latvia and Slovenia with

42%, next is Spain with 32% and Bulgaria with 31%. Poland, Romania, Estonia, France,

Finland and Slovakia fall in the cluster of more than 20% but less than 30%. United Kingdom,

Cyprus, Hungary and Ireland have more than 10% but less than 20% women in the highest

positions in the ministries. In Czech Republic, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Belgium, Malta,

Denmark and Greece women’s proportion is less than 10%.

The significant and unforeseen shift can be seen in Portugal, Austria, Germany and Italy. In

1999 (Finnish Report) data collection the countries had 19%, 10%, 8% and 8% respectively

but in 2006 data collection we find no single women in the highest positions in the ministries.

The question which almost naturally follows is whether when the share of women among

ministers rise the share of women at the second highest position after that drop?

In the European Commission 11% A1 category officials are women. In the Council

Secretariat the percentage is slightly higher, 15% A1 category officials are women and in the

European Parliament only one A1 out of 9, is a women.

The proportion of women in the second highest positions (which is comparable to A2

category in the European Institutions) is much higher compared to women in the highest

31

positions in the ministries. The highest ratio can be found, like in 1999, in Sweden, with

implausible 80%. The countries who fall in the category of more then 30% are all new

member states: Bulgaria (42%), Slovenia (39%), Romania (39%), Latvia (34%), Poland

(33%) and Lithuania (32%). Slovakia, Greece, Finland, Hungary, Estonia, the Netherlands

and Spain have more than 20% but less than 30% of women in the second highest positions.

Women’s proportion in United Kingdom, Cyprus, Ireland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Italy,

Malta, Belgium, Austria, Denmark and Germany is less than 20% but more than 10%. France

is the only country with less than 10% women in the second highest positions.

In the case of European Institutions the numbers from 2006 show weak but positive progress.

In the European Commission, Council Secretariat and European Parliament the relevant

proportion of women in the A2 category is 18%, 18% and 33% respectively.

Several countries showed significant progress from 1999 data collection to 2006 collection;

worth mentioning are undoubtedly Sweden, Spain, Ireland and Finland. The country that has

moved down the scale is Italy.

If in 1999 data, the critical mass of 30% of women in the two highest ranking positions of the

ministries was found only in Sweden, the situation in 2006 looks much more promising. The

countries that are leaping ahead of the rest of the Member States are the newly joined

countries of the European Union.

32

INDICATOR VIII: The distribution of the highest ranking women civil servants in different fields of action

The proportion of women and men civil servants at the highest and second highest levels of office of the civil service in the Member States in the different fields of action of the ministries, as well as the proportion of the high - level female civil servants (at the two highest levels A1 and A2) of the European Institutions in the different fields of action of Directorate - Generals. Categorized according to the BEIS - typology which includes basic, economic, socio - cultural functions and infrastructure.

In 1999, women could be found in all four fields of action- not only in one particular. Data for all Member States for that year is not available. Considering available data, Sweden had the highest proportion of highest ranking women civil servants (39 %), followed by Portugal with 19 %.

In 2007, women can be found in all four fields of action with the special emphasis on socio-cultural functions. Unfortunately data for all Member States is not available and therefore the comparison cannot be completely reliable. However, in 2007 Sweden is the Member State with most women in all four fields of action (43,9 %). In other Member States women can be found in most of the fields of action: Slovenia (42 %), Latvia (42%)

Among those Member States who joined EU in 2004 or after, Poland with 29 % of highest ranking women civil servants is the only new Member State where women can be found in all fields of action. In other new Member States women can be found in most of the fields of action: Slovenia and Latvia both reached 42 %.

Data for this indicator is not complete and any conclusion can be made only on the basis of existing information. The highest ranking women civil servants can be found in different fields of action, although the socio-cultural field is still slightly prevalent. From 1999 to 2007 women were generally found in all four fields of action and it shows a positive step forward.

33

Table VIII/1: Civil servants at the highest levels according to the BEIS – typology

Civil servants at the highest levels according to the BEIS – typology87

(W= WOMEN; M= MEN)

Member State

basic functions

1999 2007

economic functions

1999 2007

infra-structure

1999 2007

socio- cultural functions

1999 2007

total

1999 2007W / M W /M

total womenin %

1999 2007

Austria88 1 0 3 0 1 3 0

8/68 0/3 10 0

Belgium 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2/14 1/13 12 7

Bulgaria

0 2 2

1 5/11 31

Cyprus 0 0 0 2 2/10 17

Czech Republic 0 0 0 1 1/11 8

Denmark 0 0 0 1 1/16 6

Estonia 0 2 1 3/8 27

Finland 2 2 0 1 1 0 1/14 3/11 16 21

France

0 0 1 1 2/6 25

Germany 1 0 0 1 0 0 2/24 0/21 8 0

Greece 1 0 1 0 2/31 6

Hungary 1 0 0 1 2/11 15

Ireland 0 1 0 1 1 1/14 2712 7 14

Italy 1 0 0 1 0 2/24 0/6 8 0

Latvia 0 3 0 5 8/11 42

Lithuania 0 0 0 1 1/12 8

Luxembourg89 0 0 1 0 0 1/16 6,25

87 In Presidency report from 1999 (Review of the implementation by the Member States and the European Institutions of the Beijing Platform for Action, document number: 11829 / 99 SOC 340) there is a special data collected for civil servants at the highest levels and separate one for civil servants at the 2nd highest level. In this report, there is only data for the highest ranking women civil servants as separate data for second highest women civil servants is not available for all Member States. 88 Austria as a response to the first draft sent us the information that there are 11 female civil servants at the highest level.89 Luxemburg as a response to the first draft sent us the information that in 2007 there is 1 women civil servant or 6,25% of women civil servants at the highest position.

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Malta 1 0 0 0 1/13 7

Poland 1 1 1 1 4/10 29

Portugal 12 0 6 2 28 48/210 0/1 19 0

Romania 2 0 1 3 6/16 27

Slovakia 0 0 0 3 3/12 20

Slovenia 2 0 2 1 5/7 42

Spain 0 4 0 2 1 4 0 2 1/23 12/25 4 32

Sweden90 4 46 2 21 14 5 23 11/17 104/133 39 43,9

The Netherlands 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1/12 8

United Kingdom

1 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 3/25 3/14 11 18

Empty cell = no information given

Source for the year 1999: Presidency report on "Women in the decision-making process" in the Member States and the European Institutions (doc. 11829/99), 1999.Source for the year 2007:European Commission, DG EMPL.

90A s a response to the first draft, Swedish representatives sent us updated information on women civil servants for individual ministries: on level 1 there were 15 women and 23 men civil servants in 2007. On level 2 there were 89 women and 110 men civil servants in 2007.

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INDICATOR IX. The proportion of women of the members of the Supreme Courts of the Member States and the proportion of women of the members of the European Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance.

There has been an important change since 1999 in the proportions of women among the

judges of the Supreme Courts in the Member States. In 1999 data, Luxembourg was the only

country in the group of more than 40% judges of the Supreme Court being women. However,

situation in 2006 shows completely diverse picture. The countries with the highest women’s

proportion are Bulgaria (76%), Romania (74%), Hungary (60%), Latvia (58%), Slovakia

(50%) Luxembourg (45,1%) and Sweden (44%).

According to 1999 data collection no country fell in the group of more than 30%, but in 2006

we found France, Slovenia, and Finland in this category. Czech Republic, Poland, Ireland,

Austria, Denmark and Germany are in the group of more than 20% women among the judges

of the Supreme Courts.

Greece, Belgium, Lithuania, Estonia, the Netherlands, Malta and Italy share the places in the

cluster of more than 10%. Cyprus and United Kingdom have 8%, Spain 7% and Portugal 5%

women among the judges of the Supreme Courts.

A big progress has been made in Sweden (from 25,7% in 1999 to 44% in 2007), Ireland (form

12,5% in 1999 to 25% in 2007), Austria (14,0% in 1999 to 25% in 2007) and Finland (19,1%

in 1999 to 32% in 2007).

Among new Member States, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Latvia and Slovakia managed to

attain the goal of balanced participation of women, which is more than 40%.

In the case of European Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance the situation

improved. In European Court of Justice we can find 15% of women, while in Court of First

Instance there are 35% women among its members.

It can be concluded, that the number of countries with more than 40% women among the

judges of the Supreme Courts has increased, but at the same time, the group of countries

where women are clearly underrepresented (less than 10%) stays the same.

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Table IX/1: Women’s proportion among judges of Supreme Courts of Member States and in the European Court of Justice and Court of First Instance

Year 1999 2007more than 40% Luxembourg 46,8%91 Bulgaria 76%

Romania 74%Hungary 60%Latvia 58%

Slovakia 50%Luxemburg 45.1%92

Sweden 44%

more than 30% European Court of First Instance 35%

France 35%Slovenia 32%Finland 32%

more than 20% France 27,7%Sweden 25,7%

Czech Republic 26%Poland 26%Ireland 25%Austria 25%

Denmark 22%Germany 20%

more than 10% Finland 19,1%Belgium 16,2%

The Netherlands 15,9%Denmark 15,8%Austria 14,0%

Court of First Instance 13,3%Germany 13,3%Ireland 12,5%

Greece 18%Belgium 17%Lithuania 17%Estonia 16%

European Court of Justice 15%The Netherlands 13%

Malta 11%Italy 11%

less than 10% United Kingdom 6,0%European Court of Justice 4,1%

Italy 2,15%Portugal 1,4%

Cyprus 8%United Kingdom 8%

Spain 7%Portugal 5%

none Spain

no answer Greece

no data availableSource for the year 1999:Presidency report on "Women in the decision-making process" in the Member States and the European Institutions (doc. 11829/99), 1999.Source for the year 2006:European Commission, DG EMPL, Database on women and men in decision-making, 2007.

91 Data sent by MS as a response to the first draft of this report.92 Data sent by MS as a response to the first draft of this report.

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