European Union

The GEO engages with various EU institutions, including the European Commission and the Council of the European Union, contributing to the development of common standards and regulations to uphold UK interests and reflect best practices related to equality. Key issues include:

• negotiation of the Article 19 Equal Treatment Directive
• providing input on the development of the European Gender Strategy (2010 -2015)
• providing input on the negotiations of gender-related instruments (e.g. through the European Council on Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO))
• Ministers’ participation in periodic meetings of Equality Ministers where priorities in these areas are discussed.

The GEO participates in a number of EU groups to inform best practice and identify common goals on equality:

• Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO)
• Social Questions Working Party (SQWP)
• Council Employment Committee (EMCO)
• EU Parliament’s Women’s Rights & Gender Equality Committee
• EU Non-discrimination Governmental Expert Group
• EU Commission’s Advisory Committee on Equal Opportunities for women and men
• EU High-level Group on Gender Mainstreaming

Please refer to the following links for information on:

• the EU gender equality strategy
• the Equal treatment directive