Final evaluation report on the Community framework strategy and Community action programme relating to the Community strategy on gender equality [SEC(2008) 2365].

The Community strategy on gender equality was adopted in 2000 and a Community programme was drawn up in 2001 to support the implementation of the framework strategy. In accordance with Article 12 of the Programme Decision, the Commission presented an interim evaluation report to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions in 2004.

The Commission adopted the Community framework strategy on gender equality (2001-2006) in June 2000. The aim was to establish a single coordinated framework for all the Commission's activities in this field. The strategy set out five priority objectives: gender equality in economic life, equal participation and representation in decision-making, equal access to social rights, gender equality in civil life, and the overcoming of gender stereotypes.

Conclusions

The five policy areas identified for structuring the framework for Community action corresponded with the main challenges to be taken up in order to support the equality objectives. By presenting this overall framework, the Commission has created the requisite conditions for coordinated implementation of the various instruments. The structural funds have been a crucial financial tool for ensuring that equality is taken into account in the policies of the Member States. Targeted Community activities have increased the effectiveness of legislation on equality and supported the various institutions and civil society in effectively promoting equality in all the areas in question.

The programme has demonstrated its value through its ability to support the implementation of the equality objectives and to strengthen the coordination mechanisms and governance at European level. Despite this positive assessment, there are still major gender inequalities. In March 2006, the Commission adopted an equality roadmap in order to take up these challenges.

The funding for work on equality under the new programme – 'PROGRESS (2007-2013)' – will make it possible to support the Commission in the implementation of the roadmap activities. By merging the previous programmes into a single programme, PROGRESS also makes it possible to take better account of gender equality in all its activities.