Plenary focus - October I

Egypt is a strategic partner of the EU, not only due to the fight against terrorism but largely because of its cultural and geographical proximity. Any partnership between the two sides should take this into account. Also crucial is the fact that bilateral relations cannot be built solely on the basis of commercial advantage, nor should they be reduced to issues of border control and security. For a genuine and serious partnership, human rights must be our common language.

This report underlines that women´s empowerment and self-determination start when policy priorities challenge patriarchal structures. They ensure that women have control over their own bodies and access to sexual and reproductive health and rights services when genuine investments in public services and infrastructure - including child and elderly care - are in place. Policy frameworks must also be set out to increase women’s employment and equal economic independence, participation in political decision-making, reduce the gender pay and pension gaps, and fight discriminatory laws.