The third phase of the “EU4Gender Equality: Together against Gender Stereotypes and Gender-Based Violence” programme aims to reduce gender-based discrimination, expand women’s economic opportunities and prevent gender-based violence through the transformation of discriminatory social norms. Building on the results, lessons learned and validated approaches from Phases I and II, the programme will consolidate and scale up successful interventions while responding to emerging challenges affecting gender equality in the region.

The programme will strengthen the capacity of public institutions and key stakeholders to advance gender-responsive policies, services and practices, including prevention and response systems for gender-based violence, engagement with media, education and faith-based actors, and institutionalization of gender-transformative approaches. It will support civil society organizations, youth networks and community actors to mobilize for gender equality, strengthen feminist movements and counter discriminatory narratives through community-based interventions and strategic communications. The programme will also engage the private sector to promote gender-responsive business practices, including family-friendly workplace policies, inclusive employment pathways and contributions to more equitable care systems.

Phase III places particular emphasis on sustainability and scalability through the institutionalization of interventions, development of replicable tools and methodologies, and strengthening of national ownership. It also responds to emerging challenges by expanding work on care systems, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, and by reinforcing resilience to backlash against gender equality through strategic communications, coalition-building and support to civil society.

The programme is implemented jointly by UN Women and UNFPA in four Eastern Partnership countries: Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

Overall, the programme provides a unique opportunity to advance lasting changes in social norms and institutional and societal practices, contributing to gender equality, women’s economic empowerment and the prevention of gender-based violence.

The objective of the programme is to improve institutional and societal practices that promote women’s economic opportunities and reduce gender-based discrimination and gender-based violence.

1. Strengthened capacities of public institutions and key stakeholders to develop and implement gender-responsive policies and frameworks addressing discriminatory gender norms in favour of gender equality, women’s economic empowerment and prevention of gender-based violence.
2. Strengthened capacities of civil society organisations, youth networks and community actors to mobilise and communicate for gender equality and counter discriminatory narratives.
3. Strengthened capacities of private sector actors to adopt gender-responsive business practices, including shared caregiving, and provide opportunities for women facing multiple forms of discrimination and gender-based violence.