Key Priorities
During the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the EU aspires for change, for progress on a global scale on gender equality, women’s and girls’ empowerment and their full and equal enjoyment of all human rights. The EU is highly committed to ensuring a successful outcome of the upcoming CSW session given the crucial importance of the main topic on poverty.
The EU aims to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs while ensuring the respect, protection and fulfilment of all human rights, gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. We strive for accelerating the full and effective implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development.
To reap the economic benefits of equality, we must facilitate and enhance access to the labour market.
The European Union has adopted several initiatives to enhance women’s economic empowerment and the possibility to thrive and contribute to the economy in an equal way. To name the most pertinent EU legislation, we adopted the gender balance on corporate boards directive, the work-life balance directive and the pay transparency directive, which all contribute to empower women economically. In turn, this would help lift people out of poverty, particularly women, who are disproportionately affected.
Fora such as the Commission on the Status of Women play a key role in enabling a global discussion on challenges and opportunities to safeguard and strengthen women’s rights. I am convinced that through our collective efforts, we can bring the necessary change and foster active engagement towards a World of Equality.
Poverty is best addressed by ensuring inclusive economic growth that is based on full and equal enjoyment of human rights by all women and girls.
Investing in the empowerment of women is a matter of human rights! It is also a strategic approach to preventing violence against women and girls and achieving gender equality.
Iliana Balabanova, President of the European Women’s Lobby
Civil Society Representative and Member of the EU Delegation to CSW68
Giulia Tariello
EU Youth Delegate (Italy)
Giulia Tariello
Through gender equality, we can break the cycle of poverty and unlock more equitable societies and economies. To do so, there's an urge to educate women and men since the early age in sexual, reproductive and affective education so that they can better manage and understand the reactions and decisions of the other gender and respect each other.
Lukas Svana
EU Youth Delegate (Slovakia)
Lukas Svana
Addressing the 'motherhood penalty' can effectively reduce the gender pay gap and poverty. This requires financing with a gender perspective that considers women's unique circumstances and empowers them to make investments.
We have to work together for the inclusion of older women within the international and regional frameworks . Currently, poverty among the older population is primarily a gendered issue, with older women bearing the brunt of frequent shocks and crises.
We need to ensure that women's rights are promoted and protected throughout the life course, and we urge all policy makers to listen to the voices and experiences of older women when designing and implementing policies”.