Opportunities, challenges, and recommendations from the perspective of Civil Society Organizations in the Southern Mediterranean region.

Executive Summary:
Given the ongoing humanitarian crises in the southern Mediterranean region, which are increasing inequalities within and between countries, the EU's third Gender Action Plan, GAP III, appears to be a promising strategy for incorporating intersectional, transformative, and human-rights principles into all EU external actions, such as the renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood: A New Agenda for the Mediterranean. However, putting these principles into action remains difficult because gender mainstreaming is a concept that requires more practical and structured tools to realize its full potential. Furthermore, the shrinking spaces for CSOs in Southern Mediterranean countries impede inclusive channels for human development and gender equality, which are present in political dialogue, a core approach in GAP III. Therefore, this policy paper examines best practices and qualitative research on opportunities and recommendations from the perspective of CSOs as critical partners in mainstreaming gender equality based on GAP III in the five key policy areas of the New Agenda for the Mediterranean. In addition to desk research, the study used participatory research methods, which involved twenty CSOs and groups in Jordan, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Egypt.

Read the full policy paper in the attachment below.