HRC56 - Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls - EU Statement

United Nations Human Rights Council

56th session

Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women

and girls

EU Statement

27 June 2024

Mr. President, Working Group,

The European Union welcomes the presentation of your report.

Despite some advancements, no country has achieved gender equality. The status quo, which denies half of the world’s population their human rights and fundamental freedoms, is unacceptable.

The EU vigorously promotes the full enjoyment of all human rights by all women and girls and their empowerment free from all forms of discrimination, including multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. We stress the need for an ambitious and transformative approach to address the root causes and risk factors of gender inequality, discrimination and violence against women and girls.

We share your deep concern that we are in the midst of a backlash aimed at curtailing the equal enjoyment by women and girls of their rights in all major areas of life. The backlash is escalating and undermining current achievements and prospects for further progress, reaching extremely worrying proportions in certain countries. The EU is committed to countering this regression, and to upholding the universal human rights that all women and girls are entitled to.

Working Group,

In your report, you highlight the importance of the millions of women and girls worldwide who strive to advance gender equality, resist pushbacks and build just, inclusive, peaceful and sustainable societies for all. What can we do to best support them, and to ensure that men and boys become agents of change supporting an ambitious and transformative approach to address gender inequality?