1. EQUINET E UROPEAN N ETWORK OF E QUALITY B ODIES The role of National Equality Bodies in the implementation of EU equal treatment legislation

2. Introduction 1.EU legal framework to combat discrimination and promote (gender) equality 2.Role of national equality bodies in effective implementation and access to rights Legislation is essential, but not enough! Need for promotion of equality and awareness

3. Equinet mission Equinet works to enable equality bodies to achieve and exercise their full potential at Member State level by sustaining and developing a networking between and a platform for equality bodies at European level.

4. Functions of Equality Bodies Independent assistance to victims of discrimination Independent surveys and reports on discrimination issues Recommendations on discrimination issues Exchange of information with European bodies Wider functions taken on by Equality Bodies: awareness raising, promotion of good practices

5. EU Legal Framework Treaty on European Union (TEU) Art. 2.: equality and respect for human rights are founding principles of the EU Art. 6.: recognition of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights EU Charter of Fundamental Rights Art. 21 (non-discrimination) and Art. 23 (gender equality) Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) Art. 8 (gender mainstreaming), Art. 10. (equality mainstreaming) Art. 19 (non-discrimination)

6. TFEU Article 19 Non-discrimination Legal basis to take appropriate action to combat discrimination based on: Sex Racial or ethnic origin Religion or belief Disability Age Sexual orientation

7. EU Equal Treatment legislation – Directives Race Equality Directive (2000/43/EC) Racial and ethnic origin (range of fields including and beyond employment & occupation) (Employment) Framework Directive (2000/78/EC) Age, religion or belief, disability, sexual orientation (employment) Gender Goods Services Directive (2004/113/EC) Gender Recast Directive (2006/54/EC) Gender (employment in the wide sense)

8. EU Equality Policy - Gender Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth Strategy for equality between women and men 2010- 2015 European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE)

9. Equinet Members Network of specialised equality bodies (37 members from 30 European countries) Specialised equality bodies on the basis of EC Equal Treatment Directives (2000/43/EC; 2004/113/EC; 2006/54/EC Diversity among national equality bodies in terms of size, mandate, grounds, structure and experience

10. Equinet Members

11. Equinet Objectives 1.Capacity building for the staff of equality bodies 2.Enhance the strategic capacity of equality bodies 3.Identify and communicate the learning from the work of equality bodies 4.Enhance the recognition and strategic positioning of Equinet and member equality bodies with all stakeholders at European Union level

12. Equality Bodies experience Assistance to victims: increasing numbers of complaints Under-reporting of discrimination: awareness of rights and access to rights Employment: most frequently reported field of discrimination Gender and Racial/ethnic background: most important grounds reported Multiple discrimination

13. Challenges & Priorities Address lack of awareness of rights and under- reporting of discrimination Vulnerability at times of economic downturn Promote equality and gender mainstreaming Multiple discrimination Equal pay for work of equal value Regional presence and cooperation

14. Contacts www.equineteurope.org EQUINET SECRETARIAT 138 Rue Royale B-1000 Brussels Tel: +32 (0)2 212 3182 Anne.Gaspard@equineteurope.org Anne Gaspard, Executive Director