The Gender Equality Index of the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) is the main tool to monitor and measure progress in achieving gender equality in the European Union. Since 2016, with EIGE’s support, the Gender Equality Index has been gradually introduced among the EU candidate countries and potential candidates (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia). It grounds the monitoring of gender equality in the region and provides a powerful policymaking tool that enables achievements to be measured across the main policy areas.
It also allows for initial comparisons to be made within the region of the Western Balkans and with the EU, stimulating exchanges and fostering motivation to apply more effective policy solutions and speed up processes that lead to greater gender equality and the accession of the region to the EU.
This publication was developed under the European Union’s Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) project ‘Increased capacity of EU candidate countries and potential candidates to measure and monitor the impact of gender equality policies (2018-2023)’.
(*) This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.