In the context of the high-level conference With Courage. For Europe. organised by the Party of European Socialist, the PES Presidency adopted a declaration underlining the importance of gender equality for European democracy.

The declaration, presented by PES Women, states that: “the empowerment of women and the establishment of gender equality are crucial to our democracies. Gender equality and women’s rights are indicators of how healthy and resilient our democracies are.”

The PES Presidency expressed its concern at the growing anti-democratic, anti-rights and anti-feminist movements and governments within and beyond Europe, which are threatening the advancement of gender equality and LGBTI rights. Rule of law, democracy and gender equality are European values that must be protected. The declaration lists fourteen concrete points of action, from promoting gender mainstreaming to implementing the Istanbul Convention and the Article 7 procedure in cases of violations of EU values.

Read more.