VILNIUS — A European Union task force announced on Friday that the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), to be based in Vilnius, is expected to open early next year. The EIGE will be a center for research and policy on gender issues across the EU.

“This is an agency of the EU … to analyze what’s happening on gender equality and provide statistical information and support,” Belinda Pyke, Director of Equality for the European Commission told Baltic Reports.

“Gender equality is about men and it is about women — this is not an institute that is aiming to promote the interests of women, but it is also helping us to understand that men and women experience economy and society differently…it is important to have an understanding of the different needs and have policies that serve those needs,” Pyke said.

Eva Welskop-Deffaa, the chairperson of the board for the institute said the center would benefit Europeans and the world.

“I believe our work is already beginning to take shape and benefit the members of European society and citizens of gender equality and equal opportunity for women and men. This institute will bring valuable benefits to us all for bringing gender equality. Expectations are high,” Welskop-Deffaa said.

Virginija Langbakk, a Lithuanian-born Swedish citizen has been named director of the EIGE and is charged with establishing and running the institute.

She told Baltic Reports that stereotypes in the family would be one of the major areas of research.

“The main thing is still in the family – women still work much more with the family and men are not enjoying their responsibilities with their families. That means the promotion possibilities for the women are restricted because they have to take care of the family,” Langbakk said, adding that the initial task of the institute will be the gathering of information and statistics from the member states.

Pyke said that this field of study is one of the major goals of the institute.

“How we tackle stereotypes — what men can do and what women can do – that starts with children. This determines life choices and what careers a boy or a girl can do,” Pyke said. “Other issues are how we can encourage better sharing of responsibilities between parents, family and professional. It’s not only that women want to advance, but men also want to spend more time with their children without penalizing their careers.”