“Mind the Gap: Gender Equality in the Early Careers”, hosted by IHECS Academy’s European Public Affairs and Communications (EPAC) master’s class and sponsored by Tipik Communications, brought together subject matter experts Lydia Mutyebele Ngoi, Echevine du Logement, du Patrimoine public et de l’Egalité des chances, Ville de Bruxelles, Annelies Coessens, Gender, Diversity and Migration Officer, Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) Gender Policy, and Jéromine Andolfatto, Policy and Campaigns Officer, European Women’s Lobby.

The roundtable event provided an overview of the challenges and potential solutions for closing the gender gap in both professional environments and society at large. The discussions highlighted the multifaceted nature of gender discrimination and underscored the critical need for systemic changes to create equitable opportunities for all.

Intersectionality was a crucial theme, emphasizing the varied experiences of women influenced by factors such as race, class, disability, and sexual orientation. For instance, data from the European Disability Forum highlights that only 20.6% of women with disabilities are employed full-time compared to 28.5% of men with disabilities. This disparity underscores the dual layers of discrimination faced by women with disabilities, reflecting both gender and disability biases.

Education also emerged as a pivotal area for instilling gender equality from a young age. At Brussels city for example, there were calls to feminize curricula and introduce gender equality education in schools. 

When comparing Brussels to other European cities, Brussels stands out for its proactive approach, with its Action Plan for Equality between Women and Men which is reevaluated every two years. This frequency is rare among cities and highlights Brussels’ commitment to gender equality. However, Annelies Coessens emphasizes that not all cities have the same resources and tools to advance their agendas, making access to resources a crucial factor in their ability to fight for equality.

The Action Plan of Brussels city encompasses various initiatives, including those focused on urban planning. Urban planning can reinforce traditional gender roles in society through city design. As part of the Action Plan, one initiative is to name streets and public squares after women, be them famous or unknown, such as Eunice Osayande, who was a 23 years-old black sex worker when murdered, or Suzan Daniel, leading activist for LGBTQI+ rights. These symbolic gestures are crucial for changing perceptions and promoting inclusivity in public spaces. Brussels’ Plan also includes measures to raise awareness on consent, and to train administrative agents on violence against women issues.

The discussions also touched on the broader European context, where the rise of far-right politics threatens gender equality and democracy. The speakers emphasized the need for the EU to remain firm in standing up against countries that fail to protect women’s rights and to enforce directives that promote gender equality.

Pay transparency emerged as a focal point during the discussion, with speakers highlighting recent EU directives aimed at narrowing the gender gap. One such directive, adopted last year, is the Equal Pay for Equal Work directive, mandating companies with over 250 employees to annually report on the gender pay gap within their organization.This transparency is crucial for tackling pay disparities and enhancing fair compensation for women in their work. Speakers emphasized the crucial role played by the legislators and public sector in making gender equality a benchmark.

Looking ahead, there was a call for continued support for leaders who champion gender equality. The importance of political will and mandatory quotas was stressed to accelerate progress in female representation in politics and other sectors. Participants emphasized that while quotas can be used as a tool to correct current gender imbalances, they must be complemented by broader societal changes to ensure lasting impact.