Equal Treatment and Gender Equality
Equal treatment and Gender Equality are essential pillars of a just, democratic and open society. There are one of the most important values of the European Union and are legally anchored.
In November 2019, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen coined the term "Union of Equality" in the political guidelines for her future Commission 2019-2024: Based on an intersectional approach, strategies and measures are introduced to reduce structural discrimination and socially dominant stereotypes. It should be possible for everybody to have the same opportunities and realize the same life aspirations regardless of differences based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity.
A Gender Equality Strategy has been in place since March 2020 and an LGBTIQ Equality Strategy since November 2020. Both strategies apply to the years 2020 to 2025.
The anti-gender movement in Europe
Right-wing populist and anti-feminist movements mobilising against gender equality as well as sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) have gained strength across Europe in recent years. This strengthening also brings to light an increasingly transnationally organised and financed independent anti-gender movement that attacks the rights of women and LGBTIQ* persons as well as civil society. This is evident not only at the national (and local) but also at the European level, where alliances are organising transnationally in attempting to undermine the foundations of the European Union and to reverse already existing consensus on European level.
The newsletter 2/2021 of the Observatory provides an introduction to the emergence, main lines of argumentation, and actors of the transnational anti-gender movement in Europe. To do so, the newsletter takes a look at the specific case of the Istanbul Convention. Furthermore, the newsletter provides insights into three focal topics: transnational financing structures of the anti-gender movement, increasing anti-trans attacks and corresponding counterstrategies, as well as gender-based cyber violence.
Equal opportunities and rights for LGBTIQ* people in EuropeBoth the social situation and the legal policy framework for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people (LGBTIQ*) vary considerably across EU member states. The Observatory contributes to exploring and examining key challenges and developments of LGBTIQ* policies in Europe from a European comparative perspective.
Most recently, the Observatory's work dealt with the instrument of a national action plan on the rights of LGBTIQ* people, with equality for rainbow families and with combating hate crimes against LGBTIQ* people.
Newsletter 1/2020: Perspectives on the new LGBTI strategy announced by the European Commission2020PDF-Dokument (accessible)This newsletter provides an overview of the existing legal framework and current LGBTI policies at the EU level and outlines requirements for the EU Commission’s LGBTIQ Equality Strategy.
Violence against Women: Istanbul Convention
The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) is an international treaty in force since August 1, 2014. The Convention contains binding rules for the protection of women against all forms of violence.
The Observatory’s work deals with the implementation of the Istanbul convention in several member states of the European Union.
Digital media has added a new dimension to violence against women. On the one hand, existing forms of violence against women find their digital equivalent. On the other hand, the anonymity and reach of the internet, as well as new contact possibilities via social media, allow new forms of violence to emerge.
In its work, the Observatory looks at European and national approaches to dealing with digital violence against women: How do the European Union and its member states approach this phenomenon of gender-related digital violence and its effects? Which national approaches and initiatives already exist?
UN 2030 Agenda
The member states of the United Nations are responsible for implementing the UN 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, short SDGs. All member states are confronted with the task of formulating national measures to translate the SDGs into concrete action. SDG 5 addresses gender equality. The Observatory compares in its work the developments and national approaches for the implementation of these SDGs in Germany, Estonia and Sweden.
UN Women Convention (CEDAW)
The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), is the most important human rights tool for women under international law. The Observatory analyses the application of CEDAW in the German and French justice systems and sets out recommendations for its implementation.
Comparing Regulation of Prostitution
Where is prostitution allowed and where is it prohibited by law? And in which countries is the purchase of sexual services forbidden? The German government introduced a law on the regulation of the prostitution business and for the protection of prostitutes. Against this background, the Observatory undertook comprehensive research in this field. The various papers summarize the legal framework and current reform debates in the majority of European States and beyond.