Beyond austerity, towards employment: Progressive economic policies for equitable growth and job creation

Venue: Calle Nicaragua, 75, 4a floor. 08029 Barcelona

Austerity policies are undermining growth and job creation for women and men across Europe. Further, there is significant evidence that the negative impact of austerity on employment and social welfare could erode achievements towards gender equality. In particular, these policies could reverse the progress made in the last decade in establishing a fulfilling life for women and men.

Although in several European countries male unemployment has significantly increased as a result of job losses in male-dominated sectors such as the construction and the financial sectors, it is becoming increasingly evident that women are also severely harmed by the implementation of austerity policies and by the credit squeeze. Indeed, women’s work in Europe concentrated in those areas more affected by spending cuts such as education, health, and social services.

The Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), in collaboration with Rafael Campalans Foundation, organises a seminar in Barcelona on December 12th 2014 with the objective to discuss the changing position and role of both women and men in the labour market in Europe, considering whether or not recent austerity policies have had particularly gendered effects and where the roots of such gendered impacts lie. Further, the seminar will debate how to create the conditions for a gender equitable and expansionary macroeconomic framework in Europe. A macroeconomic framework where equitable growth, creating quality jobs, increased living standards, and macroeconomic stability are at the core.

The discussion will address the following questions:

1. What are the effects of austerity policies on women and men in the labour market in Europe?

2. What are the characteristic of a progressive and gender equitable macroeconomic framework for Europe? 

Programme