The European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, presented a Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women in all of the European Union's external actions.
Despite the significant, albeit unequal, progress made in promoting women's and girls' rights, no country in the world is well on its way to achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls by in 2030, the Commission points out. In addition, the health and socio-economic consequences of the crisis COVID-19 disproportionately affect women and girls. Indicatively, given that women are numerically superior to those who work informally and in vulnerable sectors, the job loss rate for them is 1,8 times higher than that of men. The poverty rate among women could rise to 9,1%.
To address this problem, the aim of the new EU Action Plan for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women in EU External Action (2021-2025) (GAP III) is, on the one hand, to accelerate progress on empowerment. women and girls and, on the other hand, to ensure the achievements, in the field of gender equality, of the 25-year period that has elapsed since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and its platform of action to date.
"When we ensure the same rights for all people, our societies are strengthened. They are enriched and made safer. It is a reality beyond principles or moral duty, "said High Representative Josep Borrell." The participation and leadership of women and girls is fundamental to democracy, justice, peace, security, prosperity and for a greener planet. "With this new action plan, we are seeking greater and faster progress in promoting gender equality."
Utah Urpilainen, Commissioner for International Partnerships, said: "A stronger commitment to gender equality is crucial to a sustainable global recovery from the crisis. COVID-19 and for building an inclusive society, with greater justice and prosperity "and explained:" Women and girls are at the forefront of the pandemic and that is why they must take the helm of recovery. "As members of a Commission that takes into account the gender dimension and the geopolitical context, we want to work more closely with our Member States, as well as with all partners, to build a world of real gender equality."
Promoting gender equality in EU external action 2021-2025
The Gender Equality Action Plan III provides the EU with a five-pillar policy framework for accelerating progress with the aim of meeting international commitments and creating a world in which all people have the opportunity to possibility of self-realization. The action plan makes the promotion of gender equality a priority of all foreign policies and actions; provides a roadmap for cooperation with stakeholders at national, regional and multilateral level; intensifies action in strategic thematic areas; calls on the institutions to set a good example, and ensures transparency of results.
The five pillars of action in detail:
1) 85% of all new external relations actions will contribute to gender equality and women's empowerment by 2025. GAP III introduces strict rules for implementing and monitoring gender mainstreaming in all sectors. Any external assistance in all areas, including infrastructure, digital technology, energy, agriculture and co-financing funds, etc., should integrate the gender dimension and support gender equality.
2) a common strategic vision and close cooperation with Member States and partners at multilateral, regional and national levels. GAP III supports, on the one hand, the development of a common approach for all EU actors at national level, and, on the other, the focus on selected strategic issues. Careful analysis of the gender dimension and close consultation with Member States, civil society organizations, women's rights activists and young people will provide a solid basis for on-the-spot action.
3) GAP III calls on us to accelerate progress and focus on key thematic areas of commitment, including combating gender-based violence and promoting the economic, social and political empowerment of women and girls. It reiterates its emphasis on universal access to health care, sexual and reproductive health and related rights, gender equality in education, and the promotion of equal participation and equal leadership. It also fully integrates the EU policy framework for women, peace and security and introduces the gender dimension in new policy areas, such as the green transition and the digital transformation.
4) example to imitate. The action plan calls on the European Union to set a good example by establishing, inter alia, a gender dimension and a balanced gender representation at the highest political and administrative levels as a precondition for leadership.
5) measurement of results. GAP III takes a new approach to monitoring, evaluation and learning, with a greater emphasis on measuring outcomes. The EU will set up a quantitative, qualitative and inclusive monitoring system to increase public accountability, ensure transparency and access to information on EU support for gender equality worldwide. The Commission, in cooperation with the EEAS, will monitor each year the progress made in implementing GAP III.
A transformational approach
The main goal of the new action plan is to contribute to the empowerment of women, girls and young people, to make full use of their rights and to intensify their participation in political, economic, social and cultural life. GAP III strongly supports the participation of girls and women in leadership positions, promoting, for example, this approach through governance programs and public administration reform.
GAP III will promote a transformational and cross-sectoral approach and integrate the gender dimension into all policies and actions. The aim of the project is to address the structural causes of gender inequality and discrimination, including by encouraging the active participation of men and boys in challenging sexist patterns and stereotypes. Finally, in order not to leave anyone out on the sidelines, the action plan seeks to address all the cross-cutting dimensions of discrimination, paying particular attention to women with disabilities, immigrants, and discrimination based on age or sexual orientation.
Source: RES-EAP
