Clubhouse Citizens’ Dialogue: Discussing the EU Gender Action Plan with MEPs
Description
EU Matters Club is bringing citizens’ dialogue on Clubhouse, w/ MEPs Ernest Urtasun & Hannah Neumann. MEPs invite you to give your opinion on the new EU Gender Action Plan, ask questions and make comments. These discussions will feed into the EP’s opinion on GAP III.
Join at: https://www.joinclubhouse.com/event/Pv659rzX
This is an opportunity for the people living in Europe and civil society to engage with EU politicians, ask them questions and tell them their opinion on the EU’s approach to gender equality. Join us if you are interested in the EU’s external policies, gender equality and the EU policy making processes. We look forward to your raised hands!
These discussions are especially important and needed within the context of the Conference on the Future of Europe. Let us know if there are other topics that you would like to discuss on CH.
Background
Gender equality is one of the EU’s key values and principles, enshrined in treaties. Since 2010, the EU has been committed to mainstream gender in its external policies and to promote gender equality and women empowerment in its external relations with third countries and in international fora and institutions. For this purpose, the Commission has released three successive gender action plans GAP I, GAPII, and most recently, GAP III.
While GAP III was being prepared, the European Parliament debated and adopted in Plenary a report on Gender Equality in the EU’s foreign and security policy, prepared by the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, rapporteur Ernest Urtasun. MEP Hannah Neumann was the rapporteur for the opinion of the AFET committee for this report. The Parliament resolution adopted on 23 October 2020 welcomed the GAP III proposal and made several recommendations.
On 25 November 2020, the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy presented their joint communication on the EU Gender action plan (GAP) III under the title ‘An ambitious agenda for gender equality and women’s empowerment in EU external action’.
The Council of the European Union could not reach the necessary consensus on draft conclusions that would have endorsed the plan. In response to this lack of unanimity, the German Presidency of the Council adopted Presidency Conclusions, which were supported by 24 EU Members. Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland did not support them. These Conclusions endorse the EU GAP III and its accompanying staff working document.
GAP III: Promoting gender equality in EU external action 2021–2025 provides the EU with a policy framework with five pillars of action. These are:
1) 85% of all new actions throughout external relations will contribute to gender equality and women’s empowerment by 2025. GAP III introduces stringent rules for applying and monitoring gender mainstreaming across sectors. All external assistance across all sectors, including infrastructure, digital, energy, agriculture and blended funds, etc., should integrate a gender perspective and support gender equality.
2) Shared strategic vision and close cooperation with Member States and partners at multilateral, regional and country level. GAP III makes the case for developing a common approach for all EU actors at country-level and for focusing on selected strategic issues. Careful gender analysis and close consultation with Member States, civil society organisations, women’s rights activists, and the youth, will provide a firm foundation for actions on the ground.
3) GAP III calls for accelerating progress, focusing on the key thematic areas of engagement, including fighting against gender-based violence and promoting the economic, social and political empowerment of women and girls. It puts a renewed emphasis on universal access to healthcare, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender equality in education, as well as on promoting equal participation and leadership. It also fully integrates the EU policy framework on Women, Peace and Security, and brings the gender perspective to new policy areas, such as the green transition and the digital transformation.
4) Leading by example. The action plan calls for the European Union to lead by example, including by establishing gender-responsive and gender-balanced leadership at top political and management levels.
5) Measuring results. GAP III adopts a new approach to monitoring, evaluation and learning, with a stronger focus on measuring results. The EU will set up a quantitative, qualitative and inclusive monitoring system to increase public accountability, ensure transparency and access to information on its assistance to gender equality worldwide. The Commission, in cooperation with the EEAS, will monitor progress each year on the implementation of GAP III.
As the next step the EP will publish an opinion on GAP III and the MEPs would like to hear your opinions.
Link to relevant documents https://ec.europa.eu/international-partnerships/topics/empowering-women-and-girls_en#header-5139
