Breaking Barriers

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - The report aims to provide actionable recommendations to enhance women's participation in the Croatian labor market, addressing barriers and leveraging successful international practices [17][59]. - Despite improvements in women's labor market participation over the past decade, significant gaps remain, particularly for younger and older women compared to EU averages [18][67]. - The gender pay gap in Croatia is 7.4% in 2023, lower than the EU average of 12.0%, but still presents challenges, especially in lower-skilled jobs [24][26]. Summary by Sections Executive Summary - The report identifies barriers to women's employment and outlines opportunities for enhancing their contributions to the labor market [17]. - Employment rates for young women (15-24) and older women (55-64) are significantly lower than their EU counterparts, with only 19.4% and 47.5% employed, respectively [18][67]. - The report highlights the widening gender employment gap for younger women, particularly affecting those with lower education and multiple children [18][71]. Barriers to Female Labor Force Participation - The report categorizes barriers into individual, sociocultural, structural, and institutional factors, emphasizing the interconnectedness of these challenges [27][31]. - Traditional norms regarding family responsibilities disproportionately affect women's labor force participation, with only 3.6% of men taking parental leave in 2023 [29]. - Childcare coverage is insufficient, with nearly 20% of children aged four to six not enrolled in early childhood education and care (ECEC) facilities [29]. Government's Planned Initiatives - The report discusses the government's initiatives to support women's contributions to the labor market, including improving childcare access and aligning coverage with working hours [39]. - It emphasizes the need for flexible work arrangements and support for women entrepreneurs to enhance their economic participation [42][45]. Actionable Recommendations - Recommendation 1: Transform social norms for greater equality in family roles and career choices, including promoting shared parental responsibilities and gender-neutral career guidance [35][37]. - Recommendation 2: Improve childcare access and align coverage with working hours to facilitate women's labor market participation [38][40]. - Recommendation 3: Facilitate smoother transitions back to work after parental leave and expand flexible work options [41][43]. - Recommendation 4: Enhance support for women in entrepreneurship and expand access to diverse income opportunities [44][46]. - Recommendation 5: Expand long-term care facilities and alternative support modes for the elderly to alleviate caregiving burdens on women [50][52]. - Recommendation 6: Design gender-sensitive active labor market policies and social protection measures to address unique barriers faced by women [53][55].