EU Announces €19m Support to Women, Girls’ Empowerment

The European Union (EU) on Friday announced a 19 million Euro support to women and girls empowerment in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

An EU statement signed by Neven Mimica, its Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development said the fund would support gender-driven international projects.

According to the statement, the announcement was made at the “Women Deliver” Conference in Copenhagen, one of the world’s largest events on women and girls’ rights, health and wellbeing.

“The Commission is fully dedicated to ending all forms of violence against women and girls, including early or forced marriages. Violence not only constitutes a violation of their human rights but is blatant examples of discrimination rooted in gender inequalities. Put simply, gender equality and global development cannot be achieved until all forms of gender-based violence are ended. Today’s EU contribution of €19 million will further support this aim,” the statement quoted Mimica as saying.

It said the EU new financial contribution was aimed at strengthening women’s empowerment and would benefit women and girls in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

The statement said that the grant would provide support to end child marriage, improving the sex ratio at birth and would fight female genital mutilation (FGM).