Our recommendations to the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Every new presidency of the Council of the European Union, the End FGM European Networks sends our recommendations on different issues that are linked to FGM and Gender Equality.

Today we have addressed our letter with recommendations to the Portuguese Presidency.

In our letter we have made several recommendations based on the Portuguese Presidency programme and priorities.

End FGM EU makes critical recommendations about pillar IV. Building a Fair and Social Europe and the guiding principle V. Promoting EU’s interests and values in the world.

These recommendations include:

·an intersectional approach to all policies

·listening to the voices and recommendations of women with heightened vulnerability, civil society, grassroots and women's organisations

· giving attention to the dramatic rising of all forms of gender-based violence against women during the pandemic

· ensuring an honest reflection around the growing hostile climate towards gender equality and the backlash on women’s rights in Europe, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Istanbul Convention adoption

·enhancing cross-border cooperation for the prevention of FGM and the protection of girls at risk

We trust that the Presidency will be inspired by the objective “Time to deliver: a fair, green and digital recovery” and so we strongly recommend that a “fair recovery” supports human rights, non-discrimination, and equality, including gender equality, to counter any opposition movement attacking these core European values, in the face of the global pandemic.

Find the complete letter and all our recommendations here.