Woman laws at Latvia
Latvia has made significant strides in promoting women's rights and gender equality, aligning with European Union standards. However, challenges persist, particularly in areas like the gender pay gap and representation in leadership roles. Here's an overview of the current legal framework and initiatives:
โ๏ธ Legal Protections and Gender Equality Framework
Gender Equality Act
Latvia's Gender Equality Act prohibits discrimination based on sex in both public and private sectors. It mandates that state and local government authorities, educational and research institutions, and employers promote equality between men and women. The Act also grants individuals the right to seek compensation for damages resulting from discrimination.
Gender Equality Index
According to the European Institute for Gender Equality's 2023 Gender Equality Index, Latvia ranks 19th in the EU with a score of 61.5 out of 100. While this indicates progress since 2010, the country still lags behind the EU average. Notably, Latvia's highest ranking is in the domain of work, but it faces challenges in economic equality and political representation. Pay Transparency
Gender Balance in Management
In October 2024, Latvia introduced a draft law aiming to ensure gender balance in the management bodies of large capital companies The proposed legislation requires that the under-represented gender holds at least 40% of Supervisory Board positions or at least 33% of both Supervisory and Management Board positions Companies meeting specific criteria would have until June 30, 2026, to comply
Gender Pay Gap
As of 2023, Latvia's gender pay gap stands at 16.3% The government is planning to implement a pay transparency mechanism to address this issue, aiming to reduce pay discrimination and promote equal pay for equal work
๐๏ธ Family and Reproductive Rights
Abortion Laws
abortion in Latvia is legal upon request within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and for medical reasons up to 22 week.This policy ensures women's autonomy over reproductive health decision.
Parental Leave and Work-Life Balance
Latvia has introduced reforms to support work-life balance, including increasing minimum income support and promoting flexible working arrangement. The government encourages fathers to utilize parental leave, aiming for a more equitable distribution of family responsibilitie.and some tax and social security beneft.๎ ๎However, the law does not permit adoption or address inheritance issues for same-sex coupe.his development follows a constitutional amendment in 2005 defining marriage as between a man and a woan.
๐ก๏ธ Protection Against Gender-Based Violence
Latvia ratified the Istanbul Convention on January 10, 2024, with the treaty entering into force on May 1, 04This commitment underscores Latvia's dedication to combating gender-based violence and enhancing legal protections for wmen.
๐ National Gender Equality Plan (2024โ227)
The Latvian government has adopted a Gender Equality Plan for 2024โ2027, focusig on:
Promoting equal rights and opportunities for women an men.
Reducing gender-based stereoypes.
Combating gender-based vioenc.
This plan aims to address systemic inequalities and promote a more inclusive society.
While Latvia has made notable progress in advancing women's rights and gender equality, ongoing efforts are necessary to address existing disparities and ensure comprehensive protection and opportunities for all indiviuals.
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