According to a report from the European Commission, improving equality between women and men is essential to the EU's response to the current economic crisis. The report highlights that one of the way's of improving Europe's competitiveness is to obtain better balance between women and men in economic decision-making positions.

The European Commission published a report which shows that a progress in gender equality can lead to economic growth. The report thus stresses that EU countries need to get more women into the labour market if they are to meet the EU's overall objective of 75% employment rate for all adults by 2020. Also, it recommends obtaining better balance between women and men in economic decision-making positions as a way of improving Europe's competitiveness.

The report on progress made during 2011 on equality between women and men is part of the Commission's broader report on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in the past year. On this report is established that, although the gender pay gap has narrowed slightly across the EU, the employment rate for women is 62.1%, compared to 75.1% for men in the labour market, meaning the EU can only reach the overall Europe 2020 target rate of 75% employment with a strong commitment to gender equality.

On the other hand, the European Commission assures that a growing body of evidence points to significant economic benefits stemming from a better gender balance in economic decision-making. Women account for 60% of new university graduates but few make it to the top of companies. Opening the door to senior positions acts as an incentive for women to enter and stay in the workforce, helping to raise female employment rates and making better use of women's potential as human resources.