The 2019 EU annual report on human rights and democracy in the world marks the final phase of implementation of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy (2015-2019). It presents the progress achieved to date, by means of a comprehensive set of actions taken by the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Commission and EU delegations and offices around the world.

This report focuses on thematic issues, using a number of country-specific examples, and aims to be a practical tool for all stakeholders.

The ‘Equality and Anti-Discrimination’ chapter includes a specific section on Gender Equality and Girls’ and Women’s Empowerment. Other relevant areas of analysis can help put gender equality achievements and challenges into perspective, such as those touching upon economic, social and cultural rights, business and human rights, democratic governance, civil society, human rights defenders, freedom of expression and media freedom, freedom of religion or belief, torture and ill-treatment, the death penalty etc.