The missing half: Why women’s participation is key to democracy in the Eastern Partnership Region

Join us in a thought-provoking discussion on the essential role of women in strengthening democracy within the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region, with a particular focus on Armenia and Ukraine. This session will delve into the successes and challenges faced by these countries in advancing women’s political representation and explore effective strategies for building inclusive and resilient democracies.

Event details

Date: 5th December 2024
Time: 10:00–11:30 (CET)
Format: Webinar with live streaming on YouTube and LinkedIn

What we’ll cover: 

• The role of women in democracy
  Discover why equal participation of women is essential to fostering democratic development and achieving gender equality across the EaP region.
• Swedish Support for Gender Equality
  Learn about Sweden’s role in supporting gender equality in the EaP, with a focus on Armenia and Ukraine, and how this partnership contributes to democratic resilience.
• EU efforts on gender prioritization
  Explore how the EU addresses gender equality, discussing strategies for making it a core component of policies and action plans.
• The role of civil society in Armenia and Ukraine
  Hear from civil society leaders on the ground working to enhance women’s political participation, aiming for greater representation at all levels of government.

Opening and welcome Christina Johannesson, Swedish Ambassador for the EaP
Introduction Anh Helge, EaP Network/ForumCiv, and Britt-Marie S Torstensson, Winnet Sweden
Moderator To be confirmed
Panellists
Christina Johannesson, Swedish Ambassador for the EaP
Lena Karlsson, Gender Equality EaP, DG NEAR
Oksana Huz, ST/ Union to Union, Ukraine
Patrik Svensson, Swedish Ambassador to Armenia
Ruzanna Torozyan, President of Winnet Armenia
Anna Aghadjanian, Ambassador of Armenia to Sweden

About the Organizers

This webinar is organized by ForumCiv and Winnet Sweden as part of the EaP Network.

Background

Gender equality is a core EU value and a fundamental human right, essential to democracy, economic growth, and social well-being. It strengthens governance, peace, and security. Through the Partnership for Good Governance, the EU supports women’s access to justice, empowering legal professionals to provide gender-sensitive justice without discrimination. This includes promoting the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention and reinforcing gender standards across EaP countries. With the EU Gender Action Plan III and the NDICI financial tool, the EU ensures that at least 85% of its external actions prioritize gender equality. Through its agenda for recovery, resilience, and reform, the EU supports EaP countries in advancing gender equality across policies, promoting equal access to resources through gender mainstreaming and responsive budgeting. For more information on EU support for gender equality in the Eastern Neighbourhood, please visit: EU Neighbours East.