Fight against violence
On the occasion of the International Women's Day on 8 March, which this year carries the theme 'Women and men united to end violence against women and girls', European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner reaffirms the Commission's continuing political and financial commitment to fight for women rights.
"We cannot step down our game until each and every woman's rights are respected and protected throughout the world. Furthermore, we need to invest in the future by involving children in the process and raising their awareness on gender equality issues," says Benita Ferrero-Waldner.
The European Union is committed to discussing gender equality issues with its partner countries and to mainstreaming gender issues in all its external actions. Annually almost 35% of the European Commission's development aid is spent on projects that have a significant gender dimension.
The eradication of gender-based violence is a specific priority of the European Union's human rights policy in third countries, as reflected in the adoption in December 2008 of new "EU Guidelines on Violence against Women and Girls and Combating all Forms of Discrimination against Them". Along with these Guidelines, for instance, the European Union is determined to urge third countries to enhance the fight against impunity and to support the protection and reintegration of victims, in close cooperation with civil society organisations and with women human rights defenders. This includes protection against harmful traditional practices, such as female genital mutilation.
For the third year in a row, on 8th March 2009 the European Commission launches an international drawing competition on the gender equality theme. This competition calls upon children in third countries to express their vision of gender equality. Two drawings per region will be selected by a jury composed of children from the 27 EU Member states based in Brussels and a prize of €1,000 will be awarded to each winner. The exhibition will subsequently be inaugurated in the autumn 2009.
