IPPF EN welcomes the European Commission’s commitment to renew the EU Gender Equality Strategy for the next five years. The future Strategy must build on the achievements of the last five years, and operationalize the ambitious vision set out in the Roadmap and its Annex. Together with civil society partners, IPPF EN has been calling for an ambitious new Gender Equality Strategy.
Our input to the consultation on the new Gender Equality Strategy sets out in detail the actions we are calling for to ensure a post-2025 Strategy that continues to combine concrete, targeted measures, with stronger mainstreaming of gender equality across all EU policy areas.
As in the previous Strategy, adopting an intersectional approach as a ‘cross-cutting principle’ will remain essential. But the new Strategy must better acknowledge and adopt dedicated actions to respond to the distinct needs of specific groups of ‘women and girls in all their diversity’. The Strategy should also work more proactively towards dismantling intersecting systems of oppression that marginalise people.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are fundamental to gender equality, enabling women and girls to make autonomous choices essential for full societal participation. The EU has both the duty and the legal competence to uphold SRHR as a core part of its Gender Equality Strategy.
Women’s rights and SRHR are currently facing unparalleled threats and challenges. At this critical time, it is vital that the EU is unwavering in supporting SRHR and redoubles its commitment to advancing these rights across Member States. The EU must firmly condemn and address any rollbacks or threats to SRHR.
Download our consultation input to read our recommendations:
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IPPF EN's asks include actions in the following areas:
- - Upholding SRHR
- - Combatting sexual and gender-based violence
- - Strengthening comprehensive sexuality education
- - Countering gendered disinformation
- - Tackling anti-gender movements & risks of SRHR retrogression
- - Defending civic space
- - Safeguarding gender equality in EU external action
The future Strategy must receive the highest level of political commitment from national governments. Member States should endorse the Strategy through Council Conclusions, and must actively participate in its implementation, ideally by adopting national gender equality strategies.
