ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the role of gender in Europe's relationship with the nine other Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPCs), namely Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. The Gender-related Development Index (GDI), which adjusts the Human Development Index (HDI) downward to take gender differences in life expectancy, educational attainment and income into account, illustrates the continuing gender disparities in the Mediterranean region. Over five years after Barcelona, some EU actors expressed their dissatisfaction with the Partnership's limited gender-sensitivity. Concerns about insecurity and instability in the South were the European Union's prime motives to launch the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EMP). Reverting to the civilian power framework to assess Europe's commitment, the chapter concludes with an analytical distinction between Europe's formal objectives and the extent to which the necessary means are employed to promote gender equality through the EMP.
