Poland-27th Session May 2017-Gender equality

Para 57) The National Action Plan for Equal Treatment 2022-2030 provides for numerous initiatives with a view to the equal treatment of women and men, especially in the area of employment and social security. In this particular scope one needs to distinguish tasks such as promoting the equalization of women’s and men’s opportunities in the labour market, promoting women in management positions, reinforcing the potential and social standing of women and girls, awareness raising addressed to society as a whole to highlight the dignity of a person and increase sensitivity to physical, psychic and economic violence, especially against women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities. Para 58) For many years, Polish government has consistently introduced solutions for the equal treatment of women and men in the various spheres of public and private life. In particular, the economic independence of women and balance between family life and professional life are facilitated by a one-off childbirth allowance, as well as multiple extensions of maternity, paternity and parental leave; retirement pension irrespective of the length of the period during which contributions were paid for women having given birth to 4 or more children; and the eligibility of self-employed women for maternity allowance. Para 59) Currently, Poland is among European leaders in the lowest compensation disparity between women and men. Since 1989 the percentage of women in both houses of Parliament has been increasing, as well as European Parliament and collegial bodies of local governments, although not all of these bodies are covered by the 2011 amendment of the Election Code introducing the principle of a quota of at least 35% for each sex on the candidate lists. Para 60) Poland enables women to enter the professional military service, which includes serving in combat roles, and the list of works prohibited to women is limited to extremely dangerous tasks or tasks potentially harmful to pregnant employees.