At its plenary session on Thursday 8 February, the European Parliament approved a motion for a resolution for the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, which reflects the European Union’s priorities in this area (see EUROPE 13336/25). The day before, its rapporteur, Robert Biedroń (S&D, Polish), had confronted the Commission and the EU Council, through oral questions, with the persistent difficulties in the area of gender equality.
While during the debate he highlighted advances such as the directives on equal pay (see EUROPE 13153/13) and combating violence against women (see EUROPE 13344/24), the Polish MEP pointed out that much remained to be done. Based on data from the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), he indicated that at the current rate of progress, it would take another sixty years to achieve gender equality.
Mr Biedroń urged the Commission and the EU Council to present a clear plan, explaining how the EU applies gender mainstreaming in practice in all its policies and how it takes gender issues into account in its budgetary decisions. He also stressed the importance of guaranteeing the full and effective involvement of the European Parliament delegation in the UN Commission negotiations.
In response, the European Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, highlighted key EU initiatives to promote gender equality, such as the ‘Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025’, and insisted on the integration of gender equality into all EU activities, including its financial framework.
Ms Dalli also spoke of current challenges, such as global conflicts and inflation, which particularly affect women and girls, and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to investing in women’s empowerment. She concluded by stressing the importance of cooperation within the EU and at global level.
To see the text: https://aeur.eu/f/asp
To see the questions: https://aeur.eu/f/asx (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)