On Monday 25 November, the Council of the European Union reaffirmed the determination of the EU and its Member States to make gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls and the promotion of the full enjoyment of human rights by women and girls a priority in all policy areas.
This message is expressed in conclusions on the third report on the implementation of the EU Action Plan 2016-2020 on gender equality in EU external action, adopted without debate.
The EU Council notes that in 2018, global progress has been made in reducing the number of child marriages, forced marriages, and increasing women's participation in political, economic and public life. However, no country in the world is on track to achieve gender equality by 2030, the institution points out.
The EU Council reaffirms the EU's and Member States' commitment to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).
The EU Council is satisfied with the EU's increased focus on gender equality and the empowerment of women. However, it expresses its deep concern that, despite the progress observed, it will be difficult to achieve the target of 85% of all new actions contributing to gender equality and women's empowerment by 2020. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)