The Italian Minister of Equal Opportunities and Family and the Council of Europe organised a High Level Conference on “Work-life balance as a leverage for women’s empowerment and promoting gender equality” on Tuesday, 12 April 2022, at Palazzo della Farnesina in Rome.
The aim was to foster a broad debate on effective measures to achieve work-life balance, prevent gender-based discrimination and overcome social and cultural obstacles. These measures should support career choices and paths through flexible, dynamic solutions compatible with activities in the personal, private and family life.
The scene wias set with opening addresses by Elena Bonetti, Italian Minister for Equal Opportunities and Family, Benedetto Della Vedova, Italian Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Claudia Luciani, Council of Europe Director of Human Dignity, Equality and Governance, and Helena Dalli, European Commissioner for Equality. The conference was structured around three sessions: The first focused on relevant best practice examples of policies and reforms from a selection of member States. It included Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality Thomas Blomqvist (Finland), Minister for Equality between Women and Men Elisabeth Moreno (France), Minister for Labour and Social Policies Andrea Orlando (Italy), State Secretary Margareta Madjerić (Croatia), Parliamentary State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth Ekin Deligöz (Germany) and State Secretary of the Ministry of Labour Rasmus Cruce Naeyé (Sweden) . Session 2 looked at gender-sensitive policies, including a better sharing of care responsibilities, from employers' perspectives. The third Session examined the various impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work and family responsibilities of women and men. Speakers in Sessions 2 and 3 included representatives from international and European organisations, private industry and academia.
The conference conclusions gave direction to the Council of Europe's future work in this important area.
The event was organised under the aegis of the Italian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
For further information you can visit the webpage of the conference.
