Originally published on www.eeas.europa.eu
Ten years ago, the European Union and UN Women established a solid and longstanding partnership to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment at global, regional, and national levels. Since then, this partnership has continued to grow and strengthen. With women’s rights and gender equality under increased attack, the EU and UN Women partnership is more important than ever.
EU-UN Women hand-in-hand for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment
Our collaboration is also demonstrated through our engagement in the Generation Equality Forum organised by UN Women and co-hosted by France and Mexico in partnership with civil society and youth.
The EU has been an invaluable supporter and partner in driving the agenda forward and continues to lead by example through its work as co-leader of the Gender-Based Violence Action Coalition and the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies.
A key contribution to the Generation Equality Forum includes EU’s commitment to implement the Gender Action Plan III, EU’s ambitious gender policy framework in external action.
Together, we have worked in more than 90 countries worldwide to push for transformative change. We have worked to achieve stronger global norms and standards on gender equality, gender-responsive laws, policies and institutions, access to services for victims of gender-based violence, production and use of sex-disaggregated data, as well as women’s political participation and leadership.
10 years on, the EU-UN Women strategic partnership is more important than ever to advance gender equality and women’s rights at every level, from local and regional to global. In the face of interlinked, international crises, our work to achieve gender equality is vital for a peaceful, sustainable world.”
The EU and UN working hand-in-hand in full partnership under the Spotlight Initiative in 26 countries and 6 different regions, is one of the biggest investments ever made to eliminate violence against women and girls and already shows impressive results.
The impact of COVID-19 has exacerbated gender inequalities, increasing violence against women and girls, rolling back progress in in all spheres of life, including employment, health and education.
All forms of sexual violence are a heinous crime. The EU works with our partners globally to eliminate conflict-related sexual violence, to put the victims with their families and communities at the centre, and to hold perpetrators to account. And UN Women is a most valuable partner in doing this.”
Progress towards a more gender-equal world is not linear and we need to stay vigilant and committed everywhere around the world. Some of today’s crises, from Ethiopia and Yemen to Afghanistan and the war in Ukraine; all have been seriously reverting this progress. Often, narratives around war and crisis are still blind to women’s experiences. We will continue to address the structural causes of gender inequality and gender-based discrimination, including actively engaging men and boys in challenging harmful and negative gender norms and stereotypes.
The EU is committed to lead the fight for the right of women and girls to feel safe everywhere, be empowered through education and participate in all forms of public life. UN Women is a key partner in these efforts. From standing up for the safety and equality of Afghan women to helping to drive the success of the Spotlight Initiative, the EU and UN Women are together accelerating progress towards a gender equal world in line with the Gender Action Plan III.”
We will continue to work in the context of the critical priorities of the European Union and UN Women’s strategic plan. These include increased leadership, governance and participation in public life for women, women’s economic empowerment, ending violence against women and girls, peace and security, humanitarian action and disaster risk reduction, as well as climate change and digitalisation, innovation and technology.
We can drive change home thanks to persistent and coordinated effort with multiple stakeholders. We have proven this through the Generation Equality Forum, which brings a harmonised platform for work on gender equality together with civil society organisations, governments and international partners such as UN Women. The implementation of the EU Gender Equality Strategy and the Gender Action Plan III, help build a world where all women and girls in all their diversity can thrive, lead and be free. We put equality at the core of all EU policies and initiatives, including for the green and digital transition and we are ensuring women’s rights and gender equality remain at the heart of any crisis solution.”
On 20 May 2022, the EU and UN Women reaffirm their commitment to continuing the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding of 2012 and ensure an inclusive approach that allows like-minded partners and allies to work jointly for full equality and rights of women, including with EU Member States and UN agencies. In today’s multipolar world, the EU-UN partnership, and that with UN Women carries particular political significance.