Research is a key sector for the EU's economic development: Europe needs to recruit 700,000 additional researchers under the Lisbon strategy for growth and employment.
However, women researchers are in a minority within the EU, comprising of only 35% of researchers in government and the public sector and only 18% of researchers in the private sector. The higher up the academic ladder one goes, the fewer women there are. Although women account for over 50% of European students and 43% of PhDs, they only hold 15% of senior university posts, which sharply reduces their influence over research decisions.
The report by Britta THOMSEN (PES, DK) seeks to address the low number of women in decision-making bodies and a lack of transparency in recruitment procedures and the persistence of stereotypes in Europe's teaching systems. "The subject of women and science is related to the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy. Positive actions are needed to quickly improve the situation", said the rapporteur. It was adopted by 416 votes for, 75 against and 164 abstentions.
Gender balance in decision-making bodies
To bring more women into science, MEPs call on the Commission and the Member States to opt for more transparent recruitment processes and to require a gender balance in evaluation panels and selection committees, ensuring they consist of at least 40% women and at least 40% men.
Moreover, notes the report, one of the priority areas for EU action in the Roadmap for Gender Equality is equal representation in decision-making, including a target of 25% of women in leading positions in public sector research.
Fighting stereotypes and mainstreaming the male-female dimension in EU programmes
Universities, research institutes and private businesses are encouraged to adopt and enforce equality strategies in the organisation, including more "gender neutral" approaches to evaluating performance.
The report considers that Gender Action Plans within the proposal and evaluation stage of the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) is an essential part of the EU's gender equality programme and therefore should remain an integral part of European research funding.
Encouraging scientific careers for women
The report calls on the commission and the Member States to take positive action to encourage female researchers, such as setting up support programmes for young women scientists and strengthening networking among female scientists at national, regional and EU level.
