Gender equality
Gender equality is essential for growth and poverty reduction, and it is key to reaching the Millennium Development Goals. However, gender inequalities are still entrenched in many cultural, social and political systems. In the developing world, women suffer disproportionately from poverty and its related ills, such as malnutrition, poor health and illiteracy.
Story from the field
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Ley contra la violencia de género en Veracruz (México)
Promover una nueva ley de acceso de las mujeres a una vida libre de violencia en el estado mexicano de Veracruz. La Unión Europea ofreció ayuda técnica para el gobierno local y a los legisladores. -
Women against rape
Women Against Rape provides support to women who are survivors of rape and other forms of violence. Counselling forms the backbone of their activities. They also provide legal support, rehabilitate perpetrators and raise awareness through education. -
EC/UN Partnership on Gender Equality for Development and Peace
Gender equality and women's rights are strong drivers of development. Tackling HIV/AIDS is not possible without empowering women. Furthermore, improving women's education will promote the health and education prospects of their children.
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What's On
Winners gender drawing competition 2011
International Women's Day 2011
The 8th March marks the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day. The EU is working to improve the lives of women and girls throughout the world. Here you can find concrete examples of how we help.
Financial support
For the period 2007 - 2013, the EU external co-operation in the field of gender equality and women empowerment is financed through:
- geographical instruments (EDF, DCI and ENPI) at national and regional level;
- thematic instruments: Investing in People and Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights . The focus is put on improving literacy among adult women and addressing inequalities in countries where women's lives are shaped by customary laws; empowerment of women in conflict situations and ensuring greater coordination between donors and national governments to support progress towards gender equality.
Background information
Gender equality is enshrined in the EU Treaty and the Charter of
Fundamental Rights. The
EU Roadmap for Equality between Women and Men identifies the promotion
of gender equality in external and development policies as one of the six
priority areas for five years between 2006 and 2010. The European Consensus
on Development 
highlights the importance of gender equality in the
development process as an essential factor in strengthening the impact and
sustainability of EU development cooperation.
The EU's strategy
Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in Development Cooperation aims
to help promote equal political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights
for women and men. The Toolkit on
mainstraiming Gender equality provides concrete operational guidelines on
how to mainstream gender equality in country programming and the different
modalities of aid implementation.