"WE CANNOT STEP DOWN OUR GAME UNTIL EACH AND EVERY WOMAN’S RIGHTS ARE RESPECTED"

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[06:54 pm] 06 March, 2009

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 â~B¬1,000 will be awarded to
each winner. The exhibition will subsequently be inaugurated in the
autumn 2009.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress