Resolution concerning the acquis communautaire in the field of sex equality
Whereas the United Nation’s Women’s Convention (CEDAW) outlaws discrimination in all fields of life,
Whereas the EU Road map for equality between women and men 2006-2010 calls for action in a broad field,
Whereas Article 2 EC lists equality between men and women among the objectives of the European Community,
Whereas the Treaty from the very beginning of the Community has mandated equal pay for men and women, first in Article 119 of the EEC Treaty, and at present in Article 141(1) and (2) EC,
Whereas Article 141(4) EC states that with a view to ensuring full equality in practice between men and women in working life, the principle of equal treatment shall not prevent any Member State from maintaining or adopting positive action measures,
Whereas Articles 13 and 141(3) EC provide for the power of the European Community to take further action in the field of sex equality,
Whereas there is a considerable body of secondary EC sex equality law in the fields of employment and employment-related social security as well in relation to the access to, and supply with, goods and services,
Whereas there is further secondary legislation, both of the EC and the EU, that is relevant in the context of sex equality, notably on issues such as health protection, part-time work, parental leave, and trafficking in women,
Whereas in relation to discrimination other than on grounds of sex, EC secondary law adopted on the basis of Article 13 EC either already provides for protection in fields that go beyond those covered in relation to sex equality law, or it is planned that it should do so in the future,
Whereas it is unacceptable that the protection against sex discrimination should be less far-reaching than the protection against other types of discrimination,
Recalling the EWLA Resolution on changing attitudes and approaches to anti-discrimination and gender equality laws in Europe of 5 July 2008 which called for a broadening of the field of application of EC sex equality law:
EWLA calls on the EU institutions to ensure through legislative action that protection against sex discrimination does not lag behind protection against other types of discrimination.