Gender Equality Indicators in EU Development Cooperation
Brussels, 11/03/08: Poverty cannot be eradicated without addressing gender inequalities. Since 70% of people living in poverty are women, the promotion of gender justice and the eradication of poverty are inextricably linked.
The European Union is the biggest donor in the world accounting for more than half of the world’s official development aid. By developing a toolkit on mainstreaming gender equality and preparing programming guides for Country strategies that includes strong indicators on gender equality, the European Commission (EC) maintains the theory of promoting gender justice. Yet, analysis after analysis shows that little real progress has been made in integrating these indicators in the strategies.
In a paper on EC gender strategies, Eurostep urges the EC not to tolerate the lack of gender-based performance and also points to the fact that the gender indicators should not be limited to the MDGs. The paper states that the EC and the national governments should be able to draw upon existing systems and tools currently being used by various institutions. The Gender Equity Index (GEI), developed by Social Watch, is mentioned as a good example that encompasses a broad range of indicators covering aspects of economics, education and empowerment.
- Click here to read the Eurostep paper.
- Click here to go to the GEI page.
