The Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) signed a pivotal Joint Declaration today on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York. The Declaration reaffirms both institutions' shared and unwavering commitment to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls across the globe.
The Declaration was signed by UN Women's Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous and by President Oliver Röpke of the EESC, marking a milestone moment of transatlantic cooperation on gender policy. This joint statement comes at a significant juncture: the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and the 10th anniversary of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and both organisations' continuous resolve in favour of full gender equality.
In the Declaration, the leaders of both entities commit to deepening their collaboration on a wide range of issues, including:
- Mainstreaming gender across governance and policymaking;
- Promoting women's leadership and representation;
- Combating gender-based violence and discriminatory norms;
- Addressing the unpaid care burden and structural barriers in labour and financial markets;
- Supporting access to education, digital tools, and economic empowerment for all women and girls, particularly those facing intersecting forms of discrimination;
- Strengthening the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
"Our Joint Declaration is a pledge to a world where every woman and girl lives free from violence, fear, and inequality, fully able to lead and thrive. As we mark Beijing+30 and look to the year ahead and beyond, together with the EESC we will turn this vision into reality for all women and girls, everywhere," stressed Sima Bahous, UN Women Executive Director.
President Röpke emphasized the urgency and scope of the agreement: "This Joint Declaration is not just a symbol of shared values. It is a call to action. The EESC and UN Women are sending a clear message that gender equality must be at the core of global policy and democratic resilience."
The Declaration builds on the European Union's Gender Equality Strategy, the Care Strategy, and aligns with UN Women's global mission to achieve a gender-equal world.
UN Women and the EESC call on governments, institutions, and civil society to join in turning these commitments into concrete outcomes that leave no woman or girl behind.
