Implementation of central concepts

• Author: Natalie Videbaek Munkholm
• Pages: 8-21

8

3Implementation of central concepts

3.1General (legal) context

3.1.1Surveys on the definition, implementation and limits of central concepts of gender

equality law

Danish Institute of Human Rights (2016), Status report on gender 2015/2016.10

This report gives an overview of gender equality in Denmark in general. In particular high

level of participation of women in the labour market is mentioned as positive. At the same

time the gender-segregated education system as well as gender segregation in the labour

market are highlighted as areas of concern.

KVINFO (Danish centre for study of and work with issues relating to gender, equality and

diversity) (2018) ‘Study on paternity leave in Denmark’.11

This information site provides information on paternity leave in general. In Denmark most

women take a leave of absence when caring for smaller children, which has consequences

for the equality of men and women with regard to equal pay and equal pension coverage

in old age.

Danish Centre for Social Science Research (2018), Report on the difference in pay for men

and women 2012-2016.12

According to the report there has been an improvement in the gross salary gap between

men and women since 2007. The report concludes that women’s educational attainments

is one reason for this improvement. Also, an increase in the number of women in

management positions adds positively to the decrease in the gross wage difference

between men and women.

Danish Ministry of Employment(2016), Report on Discrimination in the Labour Market

2014-2016.13

The survey gives an overview of discrimination cases decided by the Equality Board as

well as by courts from 2014-2016. The purpose of the study is to create a comprehensive

overview of the legal situation in this type of case and the extent of discrimination in the

labour market on the basis of the decisions requested.

Danish Institute for Human Rights (2019), Discrimination against parents –experiences

of discrimination in connection with pregnancy and parental leave.14

The report represents a survey on how and to what extent parents and expecting parents

experience discrimination on the labour market when they decide to have children and

take parental leave. The report is based on a qualitative and quantitative survey of the

experiences of 1 589 people.

The survey concludes upon its findings that women in particular experience less favourable

working conditions in connection with becoming parents, but it could not be concluded

that the discrimination experienced is discrimination under the law.

10https://menneskeret.dk/sites/menneskeret.dk/files/media/dokumenter/udgivelser/status/2015-

16/delrapporter_med_issn/status_2015-16_delrapport_om_koen_-_issn.pdf.

11https://kvinfo.dk/viden-om-faedres-barsel/.

12https://www.vive.dk/da/udgivelser/forskelle-mellem-kvinders-og-maends-timeloen-6990/

13https://bm.dk/media/5145/beskaeftigelsesministeriets-undersoegelse-af-forskelsbehandling-paa-

arbejdsmarkedet-2014-2016.pdf.

14https://menneskeret.dk/sites/menneskeret.dk/files/06_juni_19/discrimination_against_parents.pdf.