Map source: Copyright European Commission. In 2004, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia acceeded to the European Union. The 2007 EU candidate countries are Bulgaria and Romania. Turkey and Croatia are also involved in accession negotiations.

Slovenia is set to join the EU on 1 May 2004. According to the 2003 Comprehensive Monitoring Report on Slovenia's Preparations for Membership, Slovenia has transposed all of the EU legislation on equal treatment for women and men and is in accordance with the acquis communautaire. The report also notes that a mechanism for hearing and issuing opinions on cases of unequal treatment has been created at the Office for Equal Opportunities.

According to the Network of East West Women, the Slovene Constitution, Employment Relationships Act, Parental Care and Family Benefits Act, and Act on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men constitute the legal framework relevant to the EU equality standards. Article 14 of the Slovene Constitution provides for equal rights and freedoms, as well as equality before the law. The Employment Relationships Act provides for equal pay for equal work, guarantees equal treatment in work conditions, trainings, promotions and hours, and prohibits direct and indirect discrimination. Furthermore, the Act addresses sexual harassment and requires employers to ensure a workplace that is free of undesired physical, verbal or non-verbal treatment of a sexual nature, which would lead to intimidating, hostile or humiliating working conditions. The Parental Care and Family Benefits Act, which entered into force on 1 January 2002, addresses family benefits and insurance for parental care. The Act on Equal Opportunities of Women and Men was adopted in June 2002 and provides for gender equality in all public spheres of life.