1.The principle of equal treatment means that there shall be no discrimination whatsoever on ground of sex either directly, or indirectly by reference in particular to marital or family status, in particular as concerns:
the scope of the schemes and the conditions of access thereto,
the obligation to contribute and the calculation of contributions,
the calculation of benefits including increases due in respect of a spouse and for dependants and the conditions governing the duration and retention of entitlement to benefits.
2.The principle of equal treatment shall be without prejudice to the provisions relating to the protection of women on the grounds of maternity.