Promoting Sustainability Through Corporate Practices: Empowering Working Mothers and Advancing Gender Equality in the EU

Dana Volosevici ()
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Dana Volosevici: Petroleum-Gas University of Ploiesti

Chapter Chapter 11 in Sustainable Economic Development, 2025, pp 291-325 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract This chapter examines the intersection of sustainability, maternity protection, and gender equality within the European Union (EU) labor market, focusing on the role of corporate practices in addressing the challenges faced by working mothers. Despite advancements in EU legislation, including the Maternity Leave Directive (92/85/EEC) and the Work-Life Balance Directive (2019/1158), significant gender disparities persist, particularly affecting women with children. The chapter explores how societal norms and structural barriers within the labor market have exacerbated these challenges, creating obstacles to balancing work and family responsibilities. It analyzes the potential of corporate initiatives to complement and enhance EU legislative frameworks through the adoption of supportive policies, such as flexible working arrangements and tailored reintegration programs for mothers returning from parental leave. These corporate measures align with the goals of Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. By supporting maternity protection, these initiatives contribute to reducing the employment gender gap and fostering a more inclusive labor market. The chapter underscores the importance of integrating both legislative frameworks and proactive corporate strategies to address the entrenched gender inequalities that continue to affect working mothers across the EU.

Keywords: sustainability; SDG 5; CSR; Gender equality; Maternity protection; Corporate practices (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-031-96224-0_11

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-96224-0_11

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