Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Promoting Work-Life Balance

Programme Summary

Why is the programme needed? Although Portugal has made progress towards gender equality and work-life balance over recent years, inequalities between women and men remain deeply entrenched in the Portuguese society. While women’s labour market participation is among the highest in the European Union, the gender pay gap remains at 21.2 % . Women remain over-represented in part-time and lower-paid work, and under-represented in decision-making bodies. The last years have seen the economic crisis hitting the Portuguese economy hard, and the resulting austerity measures are having a particularly pronounced impact on women. What will the programme achieve and who are the beneficiaries? The programme will address some of the main gender equality issues facing Portugal, with a focus on work-life balance, sexual and moral harassment in the workplace, and women’s participation in decision making bodies. Special focus will be given to research and data collection, which will inform policy and decision-makers in their efforts towards achieving greater gender equality.How will it be achieved? The programme consists of three pre-defined projects, which will result in the following -    a white paper “Men’s Roles in Gender Equality Perspective”; -    a national survey on time use by men and women; and -    a research study on sexual and moral harassment in the workplace. In addition, the programme will include two open calls for proposals which will support the development of tools and methods to promote gender equality. A small grants scheme will provide small scale funding to entities implementing measures focusing on awareness raising and research on gender issues and work life balance.How will bilateral relations be strengthened? Gender equality is a common aim and priority for both Portugal and the Donor states. While the scope and magnitude of gender-based disparities may differ, the gender pay gap, work life balance and discrimination and harassment in the work place present shared challenges. The programme aims to strengthen cooperation in these areas through mutual learning and exchanges of experience. Building on experiences from previous Norwegian-Portuguese cooperation on gender equality issues, the Norwegian Association of Regional and Local Authorities is involved as donor project partner in the project “Sexual and moral harassment in the workplace”. Who can apply for funding under this programme? Portuguese public or private, commercial or non-commercial and non-governmental organisations, as well as inter-governmental organisations operating in Portugal, are eligible to apply for funding under the programme. There will be two calls for proposals: The first call is expected to be launched at the end of 2013, while the second call and the small grant scheme are expected to be launched in the beginning of 2014.What are the partnership opportunities? The programme is well suited for bilateral project partnerships, and the programme will encourage and support project level partnerships between entities in Portugal and the Donor states, through facilitating the search for relevant partners.