European Parliament
Raschhofer (NI ),
in writing
(DE)
Our society cannot at present do without measures aimed at promoting more equal opportunities for women. This is where the European institutions, the European Parliament in particular, can play a role as a pioneer in the world of work as a whole.
Equal treatment for men and women is incorporated in the Treaty establishing the European Communities and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Here, gender mainstreaming is appropriate long-term for integrating gender issues into political and administrative decision-making processes and ensuring equal treatment in all policy areas and at every level.
Speaking as a woman, though, I wish to be judged by my achievements rather than by my gender. The concept of ‘positive discrimination’ is an inherent contradiction, as discrimination cannot be a positive thing. We should therefore be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

