UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

59^th session

Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women

Panel 2: Commemoration of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy focusing on overcoming barriers to women's leadership in peace processes

24 June 2025

 

EU Statement

Mr. President,

The EU is committed to gender equality, which is integral to all our diplomatic and political efforts. We honour pioneers such as Ms. Simone Veil, the first woman to lead an EU institution and Ms. Marga Klompé a key negotiator of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

The EU is proud to have women leading the European Commission, European Parliament, and numerous other positions across the EU and its Member States, including as our High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

We affirm that true inclusion in peace processes requires integrating women's and girls’ rights and concerns into decision-making, including by respecting commitments from the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the outcome of their review conferences, as well as Women, Peace and Security Agenda, as established by Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent resolutions.

The full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by all women and girls and their full empowerment must be upheld at all times, and their full, equal and meaningful participation and leadership secured in all peace and security efforts. 

The EU is dedicated to inclusivity by integrating a gender and human rights perspective and driving gender responsive leadership in our Common Security and Defence Policy missions.  Earlier this year we signed up to the UN Common Pledge for Women’s Full, Equal and Meaningful Participation in Peace Processes.

Mr. President, what role can the Human Rights Council play in preventing the attempts to undermine existing international commitments and standards on women’s rights and empowerment?