Working visit by Yuriko Backes to Lithuania

The working visit began with a bilateral meeting with Justina Jakštienė, Deputy Minister of Social Security and Labour and responsible for gender equality issues in the Lithuanian Cabinet. The constructive discussion focused on the economic arguments in favour of sustainable investment in gender equality, the harmful effect of discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people on their mental health, and the exchange of good practices about domestic violence and gender-based violence. During the exchange, Yuriko Backes reiterated the importance of ensuring that victims of violence are not overwhelmed by administrative, medical and psychosocial obstacles and that Luxembourg, to facilitate holistic support, is currently working on setting up a centralised reception structure for victims of gender-based violence.

The programme also included a visit to the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), where the minister had the opportunity to meet the heads of the institute's various departments and EIGE director Carlien Scheele. During the meeting, Yuriko Backes emphasised that Luxembourg remains firmly committed to working towards a more equal society and implementing the government's ambitious programme over the coming years. In particular, she congratulated the EIGE on its data collection at the EU and Member State levels in various areas, such as representation at the political level and on boards of directors, remuneration and the ecological transition. In the coming weeks, Luxembourg's Equality Observatory, managed by MEGA, plans to acquire a legal basis, underlining the need for accurate data to develop ambitious and effective policies.

Finally, the minister met the Italian ambassador, Emanuele de Maigret, at the ‘Red Bench’, an urban monument found in many capitals, to stress the need to end violence against women in all its forms.

Press release  by the Ministry for Gender Equality and Diversity