Government delegations of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine learn how EU institutions work on gender equality

Government delegations from Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine learned how European Union institutions work on gender equality during a three-day study visit (6–8 December 2022) organised by the EU-funded EU4Gender Equality Reform Helpdesk project.

Delegates visited Brussels in the context of Moldova and Ukraine being granted EU candidate status, and Georgia’s EU accession aspirations. Participants welcomed the opportunity to forge closer ties with the EU, to present their efforts on advancing gender equality in different fields, and to explore how EU experiences can be applied in each country to realise equal rights for women, men, boys, and girls.

The visit began with welcoming remarks by Mr Nicholas Cendrowicz of the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), followed by meetings with representatives of DG NEAR, the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST) and the European External Action Service (EEAS). Delegates learned about the EU gender equality acquis, the EU Gender Action Plan III (GAP), the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025, and the EEAS Gender and Diversity Policy. These meetings increased their understanding of the EU’s gender-related policy priorities, monitoring and evaluation, and the EU’s technical and financial support for EU candidate and accession countries.

Delegates met with the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) on day 2 to discuss EIGE’s important work and the challenges of upholding gender equality on the road to EU accession. They explored gender statistics during a video conference with Eurostat, before a meeting at the European Parliament to discuss the work of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) and share country experiences of parliamentary work on gender equality.

At a special session with the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU on the last day of the study visit, delegates learned about Sweden’s experiences, challenges, and good practices in implementation of gender policy. Sessions with the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL) and the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) strengthened their knowledge of the European Pillar of Social Rights, and how to mainstream gender in regional and urban policies. At a final meeting with DG NEAR Country Desk representatives for Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, each country presented its efforts to advance gender equality, challenges, and the way forward for EU accession, bearing in mind regional challenges and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“Really very useful information especially for Ukraine, which is currently striving to become part of the European Union,” said Olha Perunova of the Ukrainian delegation, explaining that “the received information makes it possible to develop the next steps in the implementation of gender policy and define priorities.” Natalia Sclearuc of the Moldovan delegation welcomed “learning about the legal aspects of gender equality”, while Georgian delegates commended the study visit’s “interesting speakers and diverse topics.”

The EU4Gender Equality Reform Helpdesk project, funded by the European Union and implemented by NIRAS, aims to ensure effective and equal results for women and men across Eastern Partnership countries – including Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine – by expanding the use of gender analysis in decision-making and reforms.

Learn more about EU support for gender equality in EU Neighbourhood countries

Gender equality: EU Neighbours East

EU4Gender Equality Reform Helpdesk

EU4Gender Equality Reform Helpdesk: Factsheet