Ensuring the Implementation of the Principle of Gender Equality De Jure and De Facto: the Experience of the Countries of the European Union

Abstract

Achieving equal rights and opportunities for men and women is an integral part of ensuring human rights. The inter-national ranking of the gender gap calculated by the World Economic Forum shows that there is a very big difference in its reduction in different countries of the world. The European Union has achieved the best results. This indicates the effectiveness of its measures to overcome gender discrimination. The analysis has shown that the countries - leaders in the gender gap reduction both consider gender equality a constitutional principle and include it in the sector specific legislation. They demand development and implementation of plans to overcome the gender discrimination from all organizations with more than 25 (30) people. These countries have created an effective mechanism to control ensuring the principle of gender equality, including administrative measures and even criminal prosecution in some countries.