PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework In Sweden, the operations of research organisations are regulated by the laws and statutes that apply to the area of higher education, primarily the Swedish Higher Education Act (SFS 1992:1434) and Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1993:100). According to Chapter 1, Initial provisions, section 5 of the Swedish Higher Education Act, “equality between women...
PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework Spain’s legal framework on gender equality in higher education, science and research is precise and comprehensive. The Organic Law for Effective Equality between Women and Men (3/2007) introduced gender equality as a basic principle for public action, applicable to universities and research centres. The Law made it compulsory for institutions and companies with...
PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework The Research and Development Activity Act sets out the objective to develop human resources while ensuring equal opportunities for women and men. As of October 2021, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport is in the act of preparing the new law. The Rules on the Procedures of (Co)financing, Evaluation and Monitoring of...
PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework As of September 2021, Slovakia has not adopted any specific strategies, laws or regulations promoting gender equality in research and innovation. Policy framework The National Strategy for Gender Equality in the Slovak Republic 2014-2019 [1] was prepared by the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family. It partially supported the integration of gender...
PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework There is no specific legal framework in Romanian legislation that addresses gender equality in research. Article 41 of the Romanian Constitution guarantees equal pay for equal work to women and men, while Article 223 of the Penal Code defines sexual harassment at the workplace as a criminal offence. All forms of discrimination are...
PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework Portugal has several statutory provisions aimed at promoting gender equality and equal opportunities for women and men. As of September 2021, however, it has not adopted any corresponding laws, including for higher education institutions (HEIs) and research organisations. As a country that effectively fulfils its human rights and inclusion commitments, Portugal has prioritised...
PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework The principle of equality between women and men is embedded in the Polish Constitution, the Labour Code and the Act on the Promotion of Employment and Labour Market Institutions. The Act on Implementation of Several European Union Regulations on Equal Treatment of 3 December 2010 aims to counteract violation of equal treatment and...
PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework The Higher Education and Scientific Research Act was published in 1992 and contains several references to discrimination. Article 1.3.5 states that “higher education institutions [HEIs] shall also pay attention to the personal development of their students and the promotion of their sense of social responsibility. The promotion of social responsibility shall include, at...
PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework As of June 2021, no national laws promoting gender equality in research were adopted in Malta. However, the Maltese Parliament is at advanced stages of discussion of the Equality Bill, with approval expected in the second half of 2021. This Bill consolidates and strengthens the current equality legislation in Malta, ensuring equal protection...
PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework The government plays an important role in ensuring gender balance in research organisations in Luxembourg. The Fund for National Research (FNR) (Law of 31 May 1999, amended by the Law of 27 August 2014) and the organisation of Public Research Centres (Law of 29 December 2014) are both required to have gender-balance on...
PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework Prior to 2020, there were very few initiatives to adopt or amend legislation that would significantly contribute to institutional change in mainstreaming gender equality in science and research. The key law that explicitly identifies gender equality in public life is the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men ( Lietuvos Respublikos moteru...
PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework The Law on Scientific Activity has been in force since 2005. The corresponding secondary law stipulates that a person performing scientific activities will be allowed to do so regardless of race, nationality, gender, language, age, political and religious beliefs, social origin, property, family or service status and other circumstances. The Labour Law prohibition...