A REPORT ON gender equality that recommended a wide range of measures to tackle inequality between men and women in the EU has been rejected by MEPS in the European Parliament today.
The Zuber report – named after its Portuguese author MEP Inês Cristina Zuber – made recommendations for the introduction of gender quotas, as well as looking at how austerity measures have impacted disproportionately on women.
It was widely expected to the voted through, however, the report’s liberal stance on the likes of abortion and LGBT rights sparked opposition among MEPs.
Rejection
It was rejected by 399 votes to 230.
Zuber said that parliament had sent a “shameful signal – it’s a disgrace”.
She added that it did not even seem like the “house is not even in favour of women’s rights on paper” adding:
This will not be good news for the women suffering in countries where lives have been devastated by Troika programmes.
Slammed
Independent MEP Nessa Childers slammed today’s rejection, stating that high profile vacancies such as that of presidents for the European Commission and the European Council, head of the European External Action Service and the speaker of the Parliament all have to be filled this year and that it is vital that a female fills at least one position.
Childers was not the only MEP to be shocked by the rejection.
Swedish MEP and Chair of Parliament’s Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee Mikael Gustafsson said a large number of MEPs has “revealed their true colours” when it comes to women’s rights.
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