L17/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 19.1.2001 COUNCIL DECISION of 20 December 2000 establishing a Programme relating to the Community framework strategy on gender equality (2001-2005) (2001/51/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 13 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (%), Whereas: (1)  The principle of equal treatment for women and men is a fundamental principle of Community law and the Directives and other acts adopted in keeping with it have played a major part in improving the situation of women. (2)  Experience of action at Community level has shown that promoting gender equality in practice calls for a combi- nation of measures and, in particular, of legislation and practical action designed to reinforce one another. Experience has also shown that Community work in this area should be continued, combining integration of the gender dimension with specific action. In addition it has shown the importance of the role of men in achieving equality between the sexes. (3)  The persistence of structural, gender-based discrim- ination, double - and often multiple-discrimination faced by many women and persistent gender inequality justify the continuation and strengthening of Community action in the field and the adoption of new methods and approaches. (4)  The European Parliament, in its Resolution on the interim report of the Commission on the implementa- tion of the medium-term Community action programme on equal opportunities for men and women (1996- 2000) (), has called on the Commission to submit a proposal for a fifth action programme. () O] C 337 E, 28.11.2000, p. 196. (*) Opinion delivered on 15 November 2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (*) Opinion delivered on 28 November 2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (*) Opinion delivered on 23 October 2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () O] C 279, 1.10.1999, p. 88. (5 The Council, in its Conclusions of 22 October 1999 has stressed the importance of a new action programme to promote equality for women and men. (6)  The Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing on 15 September 1995 adopted a Declaration and a Platform for Action calling on governments, the international community and civil society to take stra- tegic action to eliminate both discrimination against women and the barriers to gender equality. The final document to emerge from the follow-up meeting and the evaluation made at the UN/General Assembly in New York from 5 to 9 June 2000 (Beijing +5) confirmed the Declaration and Platform for Action and strengthened the latter in certain areas. They also reaf- firmed the need for its speedy and complete imple- mentation. (7)  All Member States and applicant countries have signed and ratified the UN/Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). (8)  The European Council, meeting in Lisbon on 23 and 24 March 2000 and at Santa Maria da Feira on 19 and 20 June 2000, called on the Commission and the Member States to further all aspects of equal opportunities in employment policies, for example by reducing occupa- tional segregation and making it easier to reconcile working and family life, in particular by setting a new benchmark for improved childcare provision. It also set quantitative objectives, inter alia, with regard to increasing the number of women in employment from an average of 51 % today to more than 60 % by 2010. (99 In its Resolution of 29 June 2000 () the Council stressed the importance of a balanced participation by women and men in family and working life. (10) The new Community framework strategy for gender equality embraces all activities of the Community which in accordance with Article 3(2) of the Treaty aim to eliminate inequalities, and to promote equality, between men and women. This Decision provides the structure for the horizontal and coordinating activities necessary to ensure coherence and to develop synergies with regard to the implementation of the Community frame- work strategy. (9 O] C 218, 31.7.2000, p. 5.