EU Statement – UN OHCHR Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls: The escalating gender backlash

On behalf of the European Union, I thank you for the opportunity to address this panel on the escalating gender backlash across the world. Gender equality is a political priority for the EU and at the core of our internal and external action. During the last decade, we have witnessed concerted action against gender equality and human rights across the globe that threatens hard-won progress on women’s and girls’ rights.

The EU acknowledges that many global crises disproportionately affect women and girls and the achievement of gender equality. This is why we must increase the full, equal and meaningful participation of women human rights defenders and activists in policy processes and increase funding and adequate support for women’s civil society organisations. An open and free civic space is essential to maintain a healthy democracy and fulfilment of all human rights.

One of the barriers that women’s human rights activists and organisations face, is the introduction or implementation of legal restrictions that can hinder their activities and funding, such as limitations on the number of NGOs that can apply for state funding and obstacles to accessing foreign funding channels. We must also recognize that activists have to deal with physically and emotionally demanding conditions, since defunding often requires human rights defenders to operate without pay or other resources. In situations where budget allocations are insufficient or international standards and policies are not fully implemented domestically, democratic backsliding and the dismantling of implementation mechanisms renders gender equality policies ineffective. This is especially true in the realm of policy inclusion, consultation, and partnership between women’s rights advocates and the state. Therefore, establishing and maintaining consistent communication channels between civil society groups and policy-makers is essential.

We should also call out and eliminate the high levels of sexual and gender-based violence that women in the public eye are confronted with. This is particularly the case for women human rights defenders, women journalists and media workers, politicians or women activists, who are almost routinely targeted, attacked, threatened and abused.

The EU remains committed to the promotion, protection and fulfilment of all human rights and to the full and effective implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the outcomes of their review conferences and remains committed to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), in this context. Having that in mind, the EU reaffirms its commitment to the promotion, protection and fulfilment of the right of every individual to have full control over, and decide freely and responsibly on matters related to their sexuality and sexual and reproductive health, free from discrimination, coercion and violence. The EU further stresses the need for universal access to quality and affordable comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information, education, including comprehensive sexuality education, and health-care services.

It is inconceivable that 43 years after the entry into force of the CEDAW convention and years after Cairo and Beijing and the outcomes of their review conferences, we are yet to take effective measures to address the underlying and structural causes of discrimination and violence against women and girls, in private and public life. It is unacceptable that women’s and girls’ right to dignity, integrity, and autonomy, including bodily autonomy, continues to be contested in the 21st century. It is outrageous that women’s and girls’ voices and agency are silenced and belittled.

The EU remains a strong advocate for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against all women and girls, including multiple and intersecting forms, and supports the Working Group in their efforts to promote concerted action towards achieving gender equality. We look forward to the discussion in order to identify best practices and concrete strategies to counter all attempts to rollback in women and girls’ human rights.

Thank you.