Joint Presidential Declaration

JOINT DECLARATION OF SIMA SAMI BAHOUS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED NATIONS ENTITY FOR GENDER EQUALITY AND THE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN (UN WOMEN) AND OLIVER RÖPKE, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE (EESC)

As we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the UN and 30 years of the adoption of the Beijing DPfA, 25 years of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, and 10 years of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (notably SDG 5), We, 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), recognizing that gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls worldwide is fundamental to democracy, social justice, and inclusive growth, reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the advancement of gender equality, women’s and girls’ rights, and the empowerment of women and girls.

We welcome the Declaration of Principles for a Gender Equal Society (The Roadmap), the Gender Equality Strategy and the Gender Action Plan III, and the Care Strategy, as well as other relevant normative frameworks from the European Union, which align closely with the values and priorities repeatedly expressed in EESC opinions.

Accordingly, and more than ever, we both recognize the importance of inclusive and gender-responsive actions, and express our joint commitment to working in close collaboration and cooperation with each other, as well with other international partners, such as the African Union’s Economic, Social and Cultural Council, in support of shared objectives to advance gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls’ worldwide

Therefore, UN Women's Executive Director and EESC's President jointly declare their commitment to:

Advocate for the integration of gender mainstreaming in all levels of governance and for the adoption of an intersectional approach to gender equality, taking into account that women and girls can face many intersecting forms of discrimination, to ensure no one is left behind.

Advance legislation and policies which protect women and girls from all forms of violence, guarantee their full rights and freedoms, and challenge gender stereotypes and harmful social norms.

Promote the equal and meaningful representation of women and girls in all levels of governance and decision-making processes, including in political, economic, social and technological leadership structures.

Recognizing the many barriers still faced today by working women, advocate for promoting equal opportunities on the labour market, financial market and in business, ensuring fair representation, closing the gender-pay gaps.

Advocate for investments in capacity building and training sessions skill building, for people with no or low qualifications and those facing intersectional discrimination, including access to qualitative and affordable education, digital and financial literacy programmes, and digital and vocational skills training, as well as through measures to dismantle stereotypes in fields of study and work.

Encourage joint advocacy for women’s physical and mental well-being and to strengthen holistic, survivor-centred approaches to health and protection services.

Advocate to address the structural gender imbalances in care work, and call for the recognition, reduction, and redistribution of unpaid care work, the provision of quality and affordable accessible care and support services throughout the life-cycle and promotion of social protection systems, contributing to greater economic autonomy, dignity, and social inclusion.

Urge to strengthen social dialogue and reinforcing collective bargaining in order to improve the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Promote the advancement of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda and the full, equal and meaningful participation of women through gender-responsive institutional capacities and policy frameworks, financial and political commitment, and the inclusion of women’s organizations and women peacebuilders and human rights defenders.

Recognize the importance of partnerships and collaboration, particularly with women civil society organizations, and affirm we stand firmly alongside all those who strive to advance equality for all women and girls in all their diversity.

We remain actively committed to our shared objectives to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girl’s worldwide, to ensure no women or girl is left behind.

Done in New York, on 23^rd of July, 2025.