UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

HRC53

Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls

22 of June 2023

Mr. President,

The EU shares the Working Group’s concern that Women and girls are disproportionately represented among the world’s poor. The persistence of gender stereotypes and discriminatory norms indeed contributes to maintaining and deepening gender inequality.

Gender equality is a core value and a key priority of the EU’s internal and external action.Tackling the root causes of gender inequality requires an intersectional, transformative and human rights based approach which places the principles of equality and non-discrimination at the centre of all action. In this regard, the European Commission has adopted an  EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025, and the EU Gender Action Plan (GAP) III, welcomed through Presidency Conclusions by 24 Member States.

Mr President,

In view of the intensified attacks and backlash against gender equality, reasserting the centrality of the human rights framework is crucial. The EU is committed to gender equality and ensuring the full recognition, and equal and full enjoyment of all human rights by all women and girls and their empowerment, free from all forms of discrimination, including multiple intersecting and accumulated forms of discrimination, while applying a gender responsive approach.

We would like to ask the Working Group: how could this Council most effectively support the realization of gender equality and the full empowerment of all women and girls?