On the occasion of International Women’s Day, on 8 March, Maros Sefcovic, the commissioner for interinstitutional relations and administration, outlined a new equal opportunity strategy that will set gender quotas at all levels at the European Commission. “What better subject for the annual conference on equal opportunity than work-life balance,” he asked after welcoming progress on women’s presence in the Commission. “As an employer, the Commission cannot expect you to neglect your private lives. This would not only be unfair to you as individuals, but would also have a negative effect on the organisation.” He reviewed the measures that have already been put in place to increase flexibility at work (measures in support of ‘flexitime’ and telework, introduced in 2007). “It makes sense for us to be flexible with you, to ensure that everyone can fulfil their potential, and to make sure you have a good work-life balance,” he concluded. This strategy, which will ensure that potential talents are identified and nurtured, is expected to be adopted by the Commission in the coming weeks.

Also in connection with the event, on 8 March, the Commission has developed a European action plan to boost gender equality and women’s empowerment in development policy. The plan sets out a threefold approach that combines political and policy dialogue, gender mainstreaming and specific actions for specific cases.