"The European Union has a long history of promoting equality between women and men, and Europe can be proud of the progress it has made over the past few decades. Under EU laws, women no longer have to face discrimination because of their sex. EU rules also guarantee common minimum rights to family leave; 60% of new university graduates across the EU are female. And in spite of the economic crisis, the employment rate for women is 62%, up from 55% in 1997." (Quoted from article)