The European Commission’s Strategic engagement for gender equality 2016-20198 sets the current framework for EU action to promote one the Union’s fundamental values of equality between women and men. This report takes stock of the main initiatives launched or completed in 2018 in the five thematic areas of the strategic engagement: Equal economic independence of women and men; Equal pay for work of equal value; Equality in decision making; Ending gender-based violence; and Promoting gender equality beyond the EU. It focuses in particular on: key trends and the newest available data on the strategic engagement’s indicators; key actions in the EU, focusing on the achievements by EU Member States and the EU institutions; inspiring practices, innovative projects and successful policies. The report focuses both on short-term developments over the last 12 months and the medium-term changes since 2010, which could evolve into longer-term developments. It also addresses potential factors that have an influence on real progress in equality between women and men in the EU, as supported by recent research.

Gender equality is one of the fundamental values of the European Union (EU). The EU is dedicated not only to defending this right, but also to promoting gender equality within the Member States and across the world. This is the core aim of the European Commission’s strategic engagement for gender equality 2016-20191. In addition, the strategic engagement ensures that a gender equality perspective is integrated into all EU policies and EU funding programmes. This '2018 report on equality between women and men in the EU' takes stock of the main initiatives launched or accomplished in 2017 in the five thematic areas of the strategic engagement: (1) equal economic independence of women and men; (2) equal pay for work of equal value; (3) equality in decision-making; (4) ending gender-based violence; and (5) promoting gender equality beyond the EU. It focuses in particular on: key trends and the newest available data on the Strategic engagement indicators; actions in the EU, focusing on the achievements by EU Member States and the EU institutions; inspiring practices, innovative projects and successful policies. The report focuses on short-term developments over the last 12 months, but also on medium-term changes since 2010 which could evolve into longer-term developments.

Equality between women and men is one of the EU's fundamental values and its promotion is an obligation enshrined in the Treaty. To fulfil this obligation, the European Commission adopted the 2010-2015 Strategy for equality between women and men as a coherent framework to guide its action over a number of years. The present report takes stock of the EU's achievements in 2015 in the six priority areas outlined in the Strategy. It also provides a reference point for monitoring and assessing future developments and contains statistics on Member States' starting points. By highlighting good practices in Member States and innovative projects that the EU has promoted or supported, the report also aims to be a source of inspiration for future work.

The Report on equality between women and men 2014 presents the latest figures illustrating the most recent developments. The report presents key EU actions on gender equality, which combine legislation, policy measures and funding. It includes projects at national and grass-roots level, highlighting the joint efforts by the EU and its Member States. In line with its obligations under the treaties, the EU promotes gender equality in all its activities, from education to work, from research to external policy.

The European Union has enshrined gender equality as a fundamental right. The Staff Working Document on Progress on Equality between Women and Men in 2013 presents recent developments in gender equality and statistics in all fields covered by the Strategy for equality between women and men (2010-2015): equal economic independence; equal pay for equal work and work of equal value; equality in decision-making; dignity, integrity and an end to gender-based violence; and gender equality in external actions.

In 2018 the European Union Prize for Literature is celebrating its 10th anniversary. To mark this special occasion the EUPL writing contest 'A European story: EUPL winners write Europe' has been organised. 36 EUPL winning authors from a total of 26 different countries have submitted fascinating European stories, which are compiled in this publication along with translations into English.