In adopting a report on the under-representation of women in the world of science, Parliament calls for gender balance on decision-making bodies, mainstreaming of the male-female dimension in research programmes and support for scientific careers for women to increase the number of women scientists in the EU. MEPs criticise the unambitious and insufficient EU target of 25 % and remind the Commission and the Member States that gender parity implies at least 40 % female representation.

Research is a key sector for the EU's economic development: Europe needs to recruit 700,000 additional researchers under the Lisbon strategy for growth and employment. However, women researchers are in a minority within the EU, comprising of only 35% of researchers in government and the public sector and only 18% of researchers in the private sector.  The higher up the academic ladder one goes, the fewer women there are. Although women account for over 50% of European students and 43% of PhDs, they only hold 15% of senior university posts, which sharply reduces their influence over research decisions.

The report by Britta THOMSEN (PES, DK) seeks to address the low number of women in decision-making bodies and a lack of transparency in recruitment procedures and the persistence of stereotypes in Europe's teaching systems. "The subject of women and science is related to the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy. Positive actions are needed to quickly improve the situation", said the rapporteur. 

The report was adopted by 416 votes for, 75 against and 164 abstentions.