The European Union’s Commitment to Upholding Fundamental Values.

Diversity of gender, language and society, some of the keys for the European Union to work on the 2020-2025 equality strategy.

The European Union (EU) shares common values and principles. Among these values is the commitment to equality, which is enshrined in the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights. This commitment is reflected in various policies and initiatives that aim to promote equal opportunities, rights, and treatment for all individuals in the European Union.

At its core, equality means that everyone should have access to the same opportunities and rights, regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status. It means that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect, and that discrimination of any kind should not be tolerated. The EU recognises the importance of these principles and has taken concrete steps to promote them.

One of the most relevant initiatives of the EU to promote equality is the Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025. This strategy sets out a framework for promoting gender equality in all aspects of life, from education and employment to health and politics. It aims to address the structural causes of gender inequality, such as stereotypes, bias, and discrimination, and to empower women and girls to achieve their full potential.

Another important initiative is the European Disability Strategy 2021-2030, which aims to improve the lives of people with disabilities in the EU. This strategy recognises the unique challenges that people with disabilities face, such as barriers to access and everyday discrimination, and seeks to remove them. It also promotes the participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of society, including education, employment, and political life.

The EU has also taken steps to promote equality in the workplace. The European Commission has adopted legislation to ensure that all workers in the EU are entitled to equal pay for equal work, regardless of their gender. This legislation aims to close the gender pay gap, which currently stands at around 14% in the EU, and to ensure that women and men are paid the same for doing the same job.

In addition, the EU has adopted measures to combat discrimination in the workplace, such as the Race Equality Directive, which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race or ethnic origin in employment, education, and access to goods and services. The EU also supports initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace, recognising that a diverse workforce is essential for innovation and growth.

Finally, the EU is committed to promoting equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of life. It supports initiatives that promote the rights of LGBTQ+ community, such as the EU LGBTQ+ Equality Strategy 2020-2025, which aims to promote equal rights and treatment for LGBTQ+ people in the EU. The EU also supports initiatives that promote the rights of minorities, such as the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

In conclusion, equality is a core value of the European Union, and the EU has taken concrete steps to promote it. From initiatives that promote gender equality and disability rights to measures that combat discrimination in the workplace and promote diversity and inclusion, the EU is committed to ensuring that all individuals in the EU have equal opportunities, rights, and treatment. By promoting equality, the EU is not only upholding fundamental human rights but also building a more prosperous society for all.

Marco Medda, Angelica Meloni, Veronica Mantega, Giorgia Perra (to hear their podcast)

foto NoName da Pixabay.com