The importance of the principle of equal treatment of men and women in European Union law

Abstract

The issue of equal treatment of men and women represents an inexhaustible topic for research. Since the problem of gender-based discrimination is closely related to the establishment of equal treatment, the investigation of this topic should begin at the supranational level, as is the system of law in the European Union. The origin and development of the principle of equal treatment within the community of European states was gradual, leaving room for further refinements. However, the normative framework that was set was not accompanied by practical changes in providing equal opportunities for women in employment and at work, hence scholars continue to deal with the phenomenon of the gender pay gap, job segregation, the glass ceiling, and the problem of reconciling family and professional life, as a consequence of the unequal position of men and women in society. This paper examines the origin and development of the principle of equal treatment within the European Union, with the initial hypothesis that even the current normative framework is not capable of preventing the consequences of gender-based discrimination that exist in practice.

Keywords

• equal treatment
• gender equality
• european union law
• prohibition of discrimination