The European Union boosts cooperation with São Tomé and Príncipe

Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, and the Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe, Jorge Bom Jesus, signed a top-up of €7 million in bilateral funding, in support of people’s access to clean water and the fight against gender-based violence.

At the signing, Commissioner Mimica said: “The EU is further strengthening its partnership with São Tomé and Príncipe. With this extra €7 million, we want to achieve two important things. First, to encourage the newly elected authorities to boost progress in the water and sanitation sector in the country. Secondly, we will help women who have been victims of gender violence to get the support they need.”

Of the new funding, €4.05 million will go to the ongoing budget support programme on water and sanitation. This will further improve sustainable access to drinking water and sanitation facilities for the population, notably girls, to bolster environmental sustainability and the resilience of vulnerable groups to climate change. Moreover, it will introduce a particular focus on gender equality: it will help women gain equal access to water resources and take part in the management of public services.

A further €2.55 million will support the government of São Tomé and Príncipe in its substantial efforts to fight against gender-based violence, in line with the recently adopted national policy for gender equality. In concrete terms, the national Counselling Centre against Domestic Violence will benefit, as will national institutions in protecting women victims of sexual violence and getting access to health and psychological services. An extra €0.4 million will be used to step up coordination and other measures.

Original source: European Commission
Published on 09 February 2019