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OPINION (2024/2019(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section III – Commission, executive agencies and the ninth, tenth and eleventh European Development Funds

FEMM-AD-765343

Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality · Rapporteur: Lina Gálvez

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The Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality calls for gender equality to be integrated into the EU budget and policies, with a focus on combating violence against women, protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights, and supporting vulnerable groups. It urges gender budgeting, disaggregated data collection, and impact assessments, and calls for stable funding for the Daphne programme and a specific programme for LGBTIQA+ women. It also stresses the need for civil society dialogue, ensuring EU funds reach intended recipients, and addressing the impact of conflicts on women.

Key points

  1. Expresses concern over lack of focus on protecting women and girls from violence in the EU budget and urges implementation of Art 44 of the directive on combating violence against women.
  2. Urges mandatory gender impact assessments and integration of gender perspective across all policy areas, with gender budgeting at all stages of the budgetary process.
  3. Calls for sufficient budget for measures to combat LGBTIQA+phobia, such as counselling telephone lines.
  4. Stresses the need for a common definition of rape based on lack of consent and classification of all non-consensual sex as rape in all member states.
  5. Calls for strong European effort to protect sexual and reproductive health and rights, including access to safe and legal abortion, and reinforces budgetary allocations for these services.
  6. Welcomes gender budgeting methodology and calls for enhanced collection and evaluation of gender-disaggregated data in all EU policies.
  7. Condemns conflict-related gender-based violence and calls for prioritising policies that protect women and children in conflict situations, including access to healthcare and safe abortion.
  8. Recalls lower labour market participation among women and men with disabilities and calls for measures to address this.
  9. Supports the Spotlight Initiative, urges the Commission to stop funding movements that oppress women, and calls for awareness-raising and comprehensive sexuality education.
  10. Calls for EU budget to better provide for women with limited opportunities for exchanges and competence development, such as through mentoring programmes.
  11. Stresses the importance of open dialogue with civil society and that EU funding should support advocacy, demonstrations, and judicial actions.
  12. Calls for stable financing for the Daphne programme, a specific budget line for it, and a new programme to address violence against LGBTIQA+ women.

Who is affected

  • Women and girls in the EU, particularly those affected by violence, conflict, and discrimination.
  • LGBTIQA+ people, who face persecution and need targeted support and protection.
  • Civil society organisations, which need EU funding to engage in dialogue and advocacy.
  • Women with disabilities, who have lower labour market participation.

Figures and deadlines

  • One in three women in the EU experience gender-based violence during their lifetime.