Ursula von der Leyen, Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, hosted an informal meeting of ministers for equal opportunities and family affairs, attended by over 100 delegation members, in Bad Pyrmont on 15 and 16 May.
"Equal opportunities for women and men in work and family life" was the motto of the two-day summit. It was generally agreed by all participants that action has to be taken in the area of family policy in order to achieve gender equality.
Sustainable social policy has to "Enable women and men to balance their careers and family lives," said Minister von der Leyen in her opening speech. One of Germany's objectives in the team presidency with Portugal and Slovenia is to expedite the EU Commission's roadmap for equality 2006-2010 by way of a joint initiative.
She was supported by all represented nations, and by EU Commissioner Vladimir Spidla, who mentioned in his statement that young families should at least have the choice of whether to work or not after having children. This is associated with a change 'in the society's mindset', because fathers can and should play an active role in family life and child raising.
Please find all information on the informal meeting here.
