Make equality between women and men a priority in Europe

Along with human rights, freedom and democracy, equality is one of the fundamental values ​​that make up the essence of the European Union. It enriches our societies and strengthens their resilience. Equality between women and men is an essential element of peace, security, economic prosperity and sustainable development. Moreover, defending and promoting equality between women and men is an obligation that stems from the EU Treaties.

Working to promote and safeguard progress in equality between women and men is therefore a political priority and a key objective for the EU. The third European Union action plan on gender equality and the new EU budget for external action offer a roadmap towards a world where men and women are equal . We work closely with multilateral, regional and bilateral partners, including civil society, to achieve these goals. We still have a long way to go. However, we will be stronger together as we face the many remaining challenges.

In many countries, the COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated existing gender inequalities in various areas: education, vocational training, health, safety, sexual and gender health and rights. reproduction, decision-making and economic prospects. Pandemic-related lockdowns have often been marked by an increase in gender-based violence, particularly domestic violence, while women's and girls' access to sexual and reproductive health services has been reduced.

At the same time, a significant part of the burden of care has fallen on women and girls. Workers in the informal economy and those in low-skilled jobs (most of them women), migrants and people belonging to minorities have been at greater risk and are exposed to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.

Furthermore, school closures have put girls at increased risk of sexual exploitation, early pregnancy, child labor and forced marriage. The managers of the Malala Fund estimate that an additional 20 million girls are at risk of dropping out of school, adding to the total number of 150 million girls (the equivalent of a third of the EU population) without study prospects.

According to a recent United Nations report, in 2020 military spending was still supplanting global health spending, even in a year dominated by the coronavirus pandemic. To emerge sustainably from the COVID-19 pandemic, we must redouble our efforts to promote equality between women and men.

Now is the time to do more

This challenge demands global action and must be met now, as we build the future we want our children to see and grandchildren grow up in a post-pandemic world that is more equal, more open to diversity and where equal opportunity is a reality. We must tackle the root causes of gender inequality and gender discrimination in order to bring about lasting change.

The European Union and its Member States, as well as European financial institutions, have supported women and girls around the world during the pandemic. As Team Europe, we have already mobilized €46 billion for over 130 partner countries, prioritizing women and young people.

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For example, in Nepal, we have helped one million girls and boys continue their education through radio learning. In Togo, we supported the creation of a universal income system and the appointment of women to head new municipalities. Globally, the EU and UN Spotlight Initiative has helped 650,000 women and girls to prevent or respond to violence against them, and provided education to 880,000 men and boys on positive masculinity, non-violent conflict resolution and parenthood.

The fact remains that we must do more and better to meet growing challenges. This is the aim of the third action plan on equality between men and women. This plan promotes the accession of women, girls and young people to responsibilities and meaningful participation in political, economic, social and cultural life, as well as in all issues related to peace and security, everywhere. in the world.

We are working to put human development back on track

We are currently implementing this plan with the support of the new IVCDCI - Europe in the world instrument, with a budget of 79, €5 billion, which will support EU external action over the next seven years.

Support for education, and in particular girls' education, will be central. In the same way that we support education in emergencies, the EU has worked with partner countries throughout the pandemic to minimize its effects on children's learning and wellbeing. and to support a safe return to school.

We already provide more than half of the world's education aid as Team Europe. But we are going to further increase this financial contribution, in order to promote equality between women and men through quality education at all levels. The €1.7 billion joint commitment to the Global Partnership for Education that we pledged in July - to transform education for girls and boys in up to 90 countries and territories - will part of this new beginning.

We are increasing our efforts at all levels, from supporting education and economic opportunities for women and girls to improving their access to sexual and reproductive health services. By 2025, 85% of all new EU external actions, across all sectors, will contribute to gender equality and women's empowerment.

We are currently finalizing this effort with our partner countries, based on close consultation with civil society organizations, women's rights defenders and young people.

We must get human development back on track and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, ensuring that no woman and girl is left behind. It is essential that we succeed.

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