Page contents Page contents Know your rights Equality between women and men must be ensured in all areas, including employment, work and pay. The principle of equality shall not prevent the maintenance or adoption of measures providing for specific advantages in favour of the under-represented sex. This right is enshrined in article 23 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. What to do if your rights have been breached The authorities of EU countries are bound to comply with the Charter of Fundamental Rights only when implementing EU law. Fundamental rights are protected by your country's constitution. How to report a breach of your rightsAddressing your complaint to the relevant national authority, government, national courts or a specialised human rights body. What the European Union is doing to protect your rights Your rights before the law can be broken down into different categories and are protected by European Union law through various directives. Racial equality Directive 2000/43/EC against discrimination on grounds of race and ethnic origin. Employment equality Directive 2000/78/EC against discrimination at work on grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. Directive 2006/54/EC equal treatment for men and women in employment and occupation, including social security schemes. Directive 2010/41/EU equal treatment for men and women engaged in an activity in a self-employed capacity. Directive 92/85/EEC protection of pregnant workers, workers who have recently given birth and women who are breastfeeding. Equality beyond the work place Directive 2004/113/EC equal treatment between men and women in the access to and supply of goods and services. Proposal COM(2008)462 for a directive against discrimination based on age, disability, sexual orientation and religion or belief beyond the workplace. Related rights Chapter 3 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is on equality. This chapter also contains the following rights equality before the law non-discrimination cultural, religious and linguistic diversity equality between women and men the rights of the child the rights of the elderly integration of persons with disabilities Documents 4 MAY 2017EU Charter of Fundamental Rights infograph - where to go in case of breach?
How to report a breach of your rightsAddressing your complaint to the relevant national authority, government, national courts or a specialised human rights body.
