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OPINION (2023/2152(DEC))

On the 2022 discharge: European Institute for Gender Equality

FEMM-AD-754839

Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality · Rapporteur: Robert Biedroń

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The Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality gives its opinion to the Committee on Budgetary Control on the 2022 discharge of the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE). It supports granting discharge to EIGE's Director for the 2022 budget and asks for more staff and funding for the Institute. It notes EIGE's high budget execution despite understaffing, a fall in carry-over operating expenditure, and that the European Court of Auditors found EIGE's 2022 annual accounts fair. It calls on the Commission and member states to act on poverty and inequality among women, and to increase funding for gender equality actions.

Committee position. The Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality suggests that the Committee on Budgetary Control incorporate its suggestions into its motion for a resolution, and is of the opinion that discharge shall be granted to the Director of EIGE for the 2022 budget.

Key points

  1. Calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control to include these suggestions in its motion for a resolution on the 2022 discharge of EIGE.
  2. Recalls that EIGE provides research and comparable data to help the European institutions and member states mainstream gender equality and combat gender-based discrimination.
  3. Reiterates calls for more staffing resources, including statutory staff, for EIGE, and for greater amounts in its budget to enhance recruitment and research.
  4. Calls on the Commission and member states to take urgent action on poverty and growing inequalities among women, including single mothers, women with disabilities, racialized women, LGBTIQ+ women, migrant women and refugees, elderly women, and women in rural or scarcely populated areas.
  5. Says this could be done by increasing funding for gender equality actions in employment and growth, combating gender-based violence and the pay and pension gaps, addressing the impact of crises on women, gender mainstreaming and budgeting, and rights, democracy and the rule of law.
  6. Welcomes cooperation between EIGE and the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality and supports EIGE's work in providing studies, research and high-quality data.
  7. Notes the importance of reliable gender-disaggregated data for evidence-based policy making and EIGE's contribution to integrating gender mainstreaming in all EU policies.
  8. Notes EIGE's high budget execution in 2022 despite persistent understaffing, with commitment appropriations of up to 97.91% and a payment appropriations rate of 81.10%.
  9. Acknowledges the decrease in EIGE's carry-over operating expenditure to 42.28% in 2023.
  10. Notes that the European Court of Auditors confirmed EIGE's annual accounts present fairly its financial position as at 31 December 2022.
  11. Is of the opinion that discharge shall be granted to the Director of EIGE for the implementation of its budget for the financial year 2022.

Who is affected

  • EIGE: the opinion supports granting it discharge for 2022 and asks for more staff and funding.
  • The Commission and member states: asked to take urgent action on poverty and inequality among women and to increase funding for gender equality.
  • Women in the EU, especially those in vulnerable situations: the opinion highlights their greater exposure to poverty, social exclusion and the effects of crises.

Figures and deadlines

  • EIGE's final budget for 2022 was EUR 8,432,920, a decrease of 3% compared to 2021 (EUR 8,693,358).
  • The 2023 Gender Equality Index shows a modest increase of only 1.6 points to reach 70.2.
  • The EU gender pay gap is 13%, with a 29% gap in pension entitlements.
  • EIGE's commitment appropriations were up to 97.91% in 2022 (98.92% in 2021).
  • EIGE's payment appropriations rate was 81.10% in 2022 (72.16% in 2021).
  • EIGE's carry-over operating expenditure was 42.28% in 2023 (54.79% in 2022).

Legal basis: Article 8 TFEU