Brussels, 04/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - During its meeting in Brussels on 30 November, the Employment and Social Affairs Council (EPSCO) adopted conclusions on implementation by member states and the EU institutions of the Beijing platform of action entitled “Beijing + 15 - a review of progress”.
In its conclusions, the Council especially invites member states to: (1) develop indicators, using the capacity of the European Institute for Gender Equality, on “Women and the Environment” and “Women and the Media”, which are among the critical areas of concern identified in the Beijing Platform for Action that have yet to be addressed, and to review the sets of indicators already developed, in accordance with the mid-term plan to be developed by the Commission; (2) support the Commission in its preparation of the future strategy for gender equality, following the current roadmap for equality between women and men 2006-2010, and to reaffirm the European Pact for Gender Equality adopted by the European Council in March 2006.
The Council also recommends that the Commission: (1) develop a mid-term plan for the regular follow-up and revision of the sets of indicators already developed for the follow-up of the Beijing Platform for Action, using all available resources, including the expertise of the high-level group on gender mainstreaming; (2) continue to regularly review the progress accomplished in sensitive areas included in the Beijing platform for which indicators have already been adopted; and (3) take into account the results of these reviews in the annual report on gender equality to be presented to the Spring European Council.
A Council press release points out that the Beijing Platform for Action is a United Nations programme aimed at promoting the emancipation of women, established 15 years ago during the 4th world conference on women held in Beijing. In March 2010, the United Nations commission on the status of women will undertake the 15-year review of the implementation of the Beijing platform. (G.B./transl.jl)