Despite the focus on gender inequality in developing countries, discrimination remains widespread in European countries as well.  Because of this, European Commission Vice-President Margot Wallstrom is campaigning to put more women in high-level positions.  She points out that women make up only 24% of EU country governments, with most women holding social and cultural positions.  There have been only two women European Parliament presidents (out of 12) and no female presidents of the European Commission.  And the inequality is not just in politics: women in Europe are still paid 16% less than men with the same job.  Wallstrom stresses the need for better childcare systems so that women can hold political positions while also raising a family.  To her, the importance of bringing women to the table is based on the fact that they have different worldviews and often focus on issues that men ignore, such as education and clean drinking water for children.  The European Union does have policies in place to combat violence against women and to encourage economic equality, and Wallstrom believes that if these policies are properly put into place, Europe can start to lead by example.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7928776.stm