In view of the forthcoming European Council, the European Women’s Lobby together with Women in Development Europe (WIDE+), CARE International and COFACE Families Europe call on European leaders to put gender equality at the heart of the future budget of the EU. At a time where European societies are confronted with a severe backlash against women’s rights, it is of utmost importance that the EU does not take a step backwards.
The European Women’s Lobby, Women in Development Europe (WIDE+), CARE International and COFACE Families Europe call on the European Council to put equality between women and men at the heart of the future budget of Europe
[Brussels, 12 December 2018] The European Women’s Lobby, Women in Development Europe (WIDE+), CARE International and COFACE Families Europe are seriously concerned by the lack of visible commitments to equality between women and men in the negotiations of the future budget of Europe in the context of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
We call for a clear commitment to equality between women and men in the MFF in line with treaty obligations. In view of the forthcoming European Council, we urge you to include equality between women and men as a horizontal key priority in the multiannual financial framework 2021-2017, and inclusion of a gender mainstreaming clause in the Common Provisions for the seven shared management funds.
Equality between women and men is the cornerstone of the European Union since the beginning and Europe has shown strong leadership in gender equality over the decades. Equality between women and men as well as gender mainstreaming all policies are legal requirements enshrined in the Treaties, the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, the UN Convention on the Rights of persons with Disabilities, as well as the Beijing Platform for Action, the European Pact for Gender Equality 2011-2020, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Therefore, we deeply regret that equality between women and men equality is no longer a visible horizontal provision for the future EU budget and subsequently will not be a priority for the spending period post 2020. The dilution of gender equality into other priorities is an indication that equality between women and men has lost its importance on the EU agenda. Women represent half of the population and while some progress has been made to achieve equality between women and men, gender equality is still not a reality in the EU and beyond. We cannot afford to become complacent.
At a time where European societies are confronted with rising extremism, radicalism and divisions, it is more important than ever to uphold and strengthen EU values of equality between women and men and human rights. It is of utmost importance that the EU does not take a step backwards.
Signatories:
The European Women’s Lobby
Women in Development Europe (WIDE+)
CARE International aisbl
COFACE Families Europe
For further information, please contact Elvira Buijink, Communications & Media Officer, buijink@womenlobby.org +32 2 210 04 21
