There are more women than men in technology and science, but gender equality remains a long way off in care work

Brussels – Women are playing an increasingly significant role in high-tech sectors, but there remains a significant gender gap in the use of part-time work, which is closely linked to parenthood. According to today’s report (29 May) from the EU Statistical Office, of the more than 81.6 million people employed in the scientific or technological sector, women now account for more than half of the workforce, representing 52.5 per cent of the total (42.8 million female workers). Their share has increased by 2.3 per cent compared to 2024 and by 27.9 per cent compared to 2015, representing an absolute increase of over 9.3 million women over the last 10 years. However, regional disparities remain: whilst Latvia boasts a female presence of 62.4 per cent, central Italy stands at 47.2 per cent, among the lowest figures in the entire Union.

The burden of care and the gender gap

Regardless of disparities among European regions, this represents professional growth for women; however, it is hampered by a domestic care burden that remains heavily skewed, a situation reflected in their career choices. Eurostat also reports that 31.7 per cent of women with children work part-time, compared with just 5.1 per cent of men. Even among those without children, the proportion of women who have opted to work part-time in 2025 is higher than that of men (19.2 per cent compared with 7.6 per cent).

The European Parliament calls for respect for care work

In this context, during its last plenary session, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on care work and a European Caregivers’ Charter, which, however, divided the chamber and drew sharp criticism from the progressive wing. Specifically, on 21 May, the European Parliament adopted a resolution which aims for a transition towards a “care society” that recognises care work as a fundamental pillar of the economy and human rights. The figures highlighted in Strasbourg are alarming: “Women continue to bear a disproportionate share of care work, both formal and informal, devoting 17 more hours per week than men to unpaid care activities,” emphasised Rosa Estaràs Ferragut, MEP for the EPP and rapporteur for the report for the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM). Furthermore, 56 per cent of mothers with young children (aged 12 or under) devote at least five hours a day to care work, compared with 26 per cent of fathers. This gendered disparity in the provision of care work has significant consequences for careers: around 7.7 million women are currently outside the labour market due to care responsibilities, contributing to a pension gap of 25 per cent. However, this is not merely a social issue but an economic resource. The value of unpaid care work is estimated at €576 billion, equivalent to 3.63 per cent of the EU’s GDP. The parliamentary resolution strongly emphasises that investing in this sector is a win-win choice: every euro spent on care services generates an economic return of at least four euros.

Recommendations from the Chamber

MEPs have therefore proposed the creation of a “European Caregivers’ Charter”, aimed at ensuring minimum standards of protection and the recognition of skills acquired. Furthermore, they urge Member States to extend leave entitlements and ensure adequate pay to encourage men to take part. Particular attention is paid to “young carers”, minors who look after sick family members and who account for between 4 per cent and 10 per cent of children in the EU, often at risk of dropping out of school. The resolution promotes home and community care to ensure the independence of people with disabilities. 

The Group of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) abstained from the vote, describing the agreement as “lacking in ambition” and “weakened” by changes to the original text. In its statement, the group expressed regret at the outcome: “It is incomprehensible and disappointing that the EPP led the campaign to remove key progressive commitments from the report: a strong European guarantee for children with a dedicated budget of at least €20 billion, binding measures and increased investment for the Care Deal, and a guarantee that gender equality remains at the heart of all EU financial and political decisions.”

Emma Rafowicz, S&D negotiator on the FEMM Committee, has condemned the fact that women carers, who were “applauded during the pandemic,” have now been “abandoned: “We cannot continue to build our care systems on the invisibility of women,” said Rafowicz, emphasising that investing in care is a necessary political choice for dignity and equality. 

Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, S&D negotiator on the Care dossier in the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), emphasised the need to implement effective strategies that leave Member States with no “loopholes”: “The new European Care Deal must be equipped with binding legislative, non-legislative, and financial instruments to invest in and guarantee universal access to high-quality, affordable childcare services, educational after-school programmes, and long-term care services.” These are all recommendations that may, or may not, be incorporated into the Gender equality strategy presented in March by the European Commission, which plans to launch the “European Care Deal” in 2027.