European Union and UN Women to fund initiatives for gender equality in Chile

Joint fund will support civil society projects to eliminate violence against women, foster women’s economic empowerment and promote women’s political participation and leadership

Santiago, 14 June 2013 – The European Union and UN Women signed an agreement today establishing a joint fund to support projects from civil society organizations that promote gender equality in Chile. These projects will focus on three strategic areas: eliminating violence against women, women’s economic empowerment and women’s political participation and leadership.

The 520,000-euro fund, which will support up to 15 projects over the next two years, is a pilot cooperation programme aimed at strengthening the capacity of Chilean civil society organizations working on gender equality. Beneficiaries of this initiative include non-governmental organizations and networks with sectorial, regional and nationwide coverage. The first call for proposals is scheduled for the second semester of 2013.

The signing ceremony was led by the European Union Ambassador to Chile, Rafael Dochao Moreno, and UN Women Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Moni Pizani.

Ambassador Dochao Moreno highlighted the joint efforts of the EU and UN Women to enhance the gender equality agenda in Chile. “Despite considerable economic and social advances, there is still an important gender gap in Chile. For this reason, the European Union supports civil society to reduce this gap with a clear objective: to contribute to ending the irrational violence that has caused so many deaths in the world.”

For her part, Moni Pizani stressed that inequalities between women and persist in all countries, regardless of their levels of development or income.

“Therefore, it is crucial to continue supporting these efforts, including in middle-income and upper-middle-income countries, such as Chile. UN Women has traditionally been an important interlocutor with civil society and we are well aware of the value of their experience and knowledge to advance gender equality.”

The European Union and UN Women signed a Memorandum of Understanding in April 2012, agreeing to cooperate in areas of mutual interest and to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment globally.