Gender equality in statutory social security : the future of Directive 79/7

Directive 79/7/EEC (Directive 79/7) was adopted to ensure equal treatment of men and women in mandatory statutory social security across the EU. It played a significant role in moving away from gendered social security systems (where men were oſten the primary earners) to more equitable models. However, the societal and legal landscape has evolved since its adoption, particularly regarding gender equality and the increasing participation of women in the labour market. The goal of this report is to explore whether the Directive is still fit for purpose and to identify options for its future modernization.