International Women's Day #GenerationEquality #RewriteHerStory #WithHer / 06.03.2020 This Gazette is all about International Women's Day // With a blog by Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, and her ambition to leave no girl behind // Recommendations to give Girls and Young Women the opportunity to be whatever they want to be // New publication: A new Era for Girls // and more European Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen on her ambition to leave no girl behind JUTTA URPILAINEN European Commissioner for International Partnerships In light of International Women’s Day we wanted to know from European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, not only what her views are in relation to gender equality and girls’ rights, but also which women inspired her throughout her career. Her advice to all girls and young women out there: “Be always ready to learn more and keep an open mind. Inspire others and be inspired by others.”   I believe that gender equality and women’s empowerment must be promoted through the combination of three major initiatives: policy dialogue, specific cooperation actions targeting gender equality as principal objective, and the so-called “gender mainstreaming”.   For example, by supporting the inclusion of a gender perspective in all kinds of activities and areas promoted by the external relations policy. This includes ‘unusual’ areas, from access to financial services to the promotion of gender based budgeting. These tools are complementary and none can be left aside to reach an inclusive and transformative approach to social development.   We must provide spaces for girls (and boys) to be listened to and it is up to us to listen. Girls and organisations representing them know most about their needs and should be part of the policy and projects design – this is what the EU’s rights-based approach to development is all about. Read the full interview Giving girls and young women the opportunity to be whatever they want to be! 2020 is a key year for the relationship between the European Union and Africa. The Post-Cotonou negotiations are ongoing, including a pillar of the agreement dedicated to the partnership between the EU and African signatories. At the end of the year, the 6th EU-AU Summit will take place. In addition, EC President von der Leyen has tasked the European Commission with the development of a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa. In light of these developments, Plan International would like to highlight the importance to ensure girls and young women can be whatever they want to be! This can be done by putting youth economic empowerment (YEE) with a gender lens at the centre, emphasising in particular the knowledge, competence and skills young people need to succeed. Our recommendations A new era for girls NEW PUBLICATION By Unicef, UN Women and Plan International The report, A New Era for Girls: Taking stock on 25 years of progress by UNICEF, UN Women and Plan International, is issued in the context of the Generation Equality campaign and to mark the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – the historic blueprint for advancing women’s and girls’ rights. Girls today are at a startling risk of violence in every space – both online and in the classroom, home and community – leading to physical, psychological and social consequences. The report notes that harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) continue to disrupt and damage the lives and potential of millions of girls globally. Each year, 12 million girls are married in childhood, and 4 million are at risk of FGM. Globally, girls aged 15-19 are as likely to justify wife-beating as boys of the same age. Full version Why the EU must empower children in Europe and beyond The 6 CEOs of Joining Forces were in Brussels to meet with policymakers from the European Commission and the European Parliament. The aim of the visit was to discuss how to place children and children’s rights centrally on the agenda of the new Commission and Parliament and more specifically, to encourage investment in child protection, ending violence against children and guaranteeing child participation. Read more It's time to #RewriteHerStory From helpless romantic to the emotional drama queen, we’re tired of seeing harmful female stereotypes in the media and entertainment. They are damaging what we believe we can do, what we believe we can achieve and where we believe we belong in the world. It’s gone on too long and it needs to stop.   This International Women's Day, help us trash gender stereotypes by telling the people with power in media and entertainment what you're sick of seeing.   How many of these stereotypes have you seen recently? Which are the most damaging, offensive and outdated? Have a look at our supporters toolkit. Illustration by @VidushiY, India Girls’ lives and lived realities deserve to be front page news, but too often they are invisible and unheard. The Girls’ Rights Gazette is dedicated to highlighting the realities girls around the world face in the pursuit of their rights, as well as demonstrating the transformative power of girls and women as drivers of change and development. It is produced by Plan International EU Office. If you would like further information about this publication, please contact the editor.