Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director, UN Women was in Brussels on 24 and 25 March 2011 to discuss the partnership between the European Union and UN Women.
Ms Bachelet addressed several Committees of the European Parliament, and met with the President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek. She also met with High Representative Catherine Ashton, Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, Commissioner Viviane Reding, Commisioner Stefan Füle, the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Steven Vanackere and Minister of Cooperation Mr Olivier Chastel, and with representatives from civil society organizations.
This was the first official visit of Ms Bachelet as the new Executive Director of UN Women to Brussels and the European Union. During this visit, Ms Bachelet had the occasion to present the vision and 100-day action plan of UN Women, that will focus on five thematic areas, within specific country contexts: 1) Expanding women’s voice, leadership and participation, 2) Enhancing women’s economic empowerment; 3) Ending violence against women and girls; 4) Strengthening implementation of the women, peace and security agenda; and 5) Making gender equality priorities central to national and local planning and budgeting.