On the 2022 discharge: General budget of the EU - European Commission

The Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions into its motion for a resolution:

A.whereas, gender equality and the elimination of inequalities are core values upon which the Union is founded, and the commitment to promote equality between men and women in all of its actions as enshrined in Article 8 TFEU;

1.Stresses that equal opportunities for men and women should be a given in all policy areas; however evidence based data should be the basis, rather than wolf-crying calls claiming women are more impacted by war, Covid, climate change, or that the best solution for women is more abortions; therefore savings can be made in the budgetary process by reducing these budgetary lines;

2.Raises concerns about the demonisation of groups supporting pregnant women; notes that this is contrary to Article 2 TEU and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, where the right to life is enshrined; is further concerned by disrespect of Member State competences in the area of health; therefore calls for a removal of funding for organisations which promote abortion; calls on the Commission to explore the core mission of those to whom EU funds are granted and to withhold funding from actors using EU funds for the purposes of terminating human rights, particularly women’s rights and gender equality;

3.Notes that gender mainstreaming is flawed, because it would force women into roles, employment and identities, which they may not want, rather than simply giving individuals and families the opportunity to decide;

4.Notes the flawed methodology in calculating the Union’s gender pay gap of 12.7 %, as it fails to take into account a person’s choice to undertake work which is lower paid, or is part time in nature;

5.Notes the importance of combatting violence and trafficking, as outlined in the Daphne initiative but calls for transparency over the results of the money invested.