1. Leadership and policy frameworks for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls
This chapter gives an overview of how OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) members can address gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in their policies and strategic planning, as well as through their leadership. It looks at thematic priorities for gender equality. The chapter explores working towards transformative change and addressing inequalities that intersect with gender, to achieve sustainable development and gender equality.
Leadership commitment to gender equality and the full enjoyment of human rights by all women and girls and their empowerment, along with a sound policy framework recognising the importance of these issues, are cornerstones for an effective development co-operation programme that leaves no one behind.1
Gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls are universal goals in their own right, as explicitly set out in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 in the United Nations’ (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. They are also an essential driver for sustainable development in all its dimensions and throughout the SDGs, and for leaving no one behind. Other key international frameworks in support of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls include the UN Security Council Resolution on Women, Peace and Security. International processes such as the Commission on the Status of Women and the Generation Equality Forum help set the agenda on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. These processes and commitments provide a global framework for members of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and other development partners to work towards gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
Policy frameworks are often broadly sketched out, and it is important to understand and identify context-specific, thematic areas that can support the greatest need and maximise results on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Policies, strategies and action plans intended to advance this agenda should identify and promote measures to eliminate systemic barriers, unequal power dynamics and social norms, and also support and advance safe, equitable and equal access to and control over resources and opportunities, and the full enjoyment of human rights, for all women and girls.
This Guidance aims to support DAC members2 and other development partners in their efforts to accelerate gender equality, the full enjoyment of human rights by all women and girls, and their empowerment. However, for ease of reading, the text most often refers to “DAC members” only, and to “gender equality” or “gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls”. In this document, the equality and empowerment of women and girls is largely discussed in relation to unbalanced power dynamics and the resulting inequalities between women and men. It recognises, however, that the concept of gender is a social construct. Not all individuals identify with the sex they were assigned at birth or with a binary concept of being a “woman” or a “man” (UNHCR, 2015[1]; WHO, n.d.[2]).
Political support amongst DAC members for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls amongst DAC members is strong. The COVID pandemic, with its wide-reaching socio-economic impact, has also demonstrated that all efforts to reinforce gender equality are critical to building back in a greener, gender equal and more sustainable manner (OECD, 2020[3]). DAC members’ most current development co-operation policies demonstrate that of the 30 members, 29 identify gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls as a policy priority.3 While the majority of DAC members have worked on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls for decades, others have only recently started investing in this area and are in the process of developing their approach and support for gender equality.
DAC members are mainstreaming a gender equality perspective throughout their policies and strategies, in priority areas and sectors of development co-operation. Most DAC members have refined or rearticulated their policy approach to gender equality, moving towards a twin-track approach to both dedicated and mainstreamed support for gender equality (Chapter 3).4
It is good practice for DAC members to adopt a twin-track approach of both mainstreaming gender equality in policy, strategies and programming, and implementing targeted programmes dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
The DAC expects its members’ policies to recognise “social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainable development; include a commitment to policy coherence for sustainable development; set out a clear approach to poverty reduction, reducing gender inequalities, and leaving no one behind (…)”. DAC members are also expected to have specific guidance “to integrate cross-cutting issues such as poverty, gender equality and women’s empowerment, human rights, environment and climate change, and conflict and fragility”. The DAC uses peer reviews to review these requirements through. The expectation is that members apply the DAC gender equality policy marker in reporting on official development assistance (ODA) to the OECD (Chapter 4). Furthermore, the OECD Recommendation of the Council on Gender Equality in Public Life recommends that adherents mainstream gender equality in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of relevant public policies and budgets (OECD, 2016[4]; OECD, 2018[5]).
A few DAC members have considerations of gender equality as a legal requirement for their international development (Box 1.1). Enshrining gender equality in legal frameworks on development co-operation has proven a helpful incentive and accountability tool (see also Chapter 6). Gender equality should also be integrated as a cross-cutting theme throughout development co-operation policy and strategy, and addressed in dedicated gender equality policies, action plans and tools.
DAC members should continue to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls as a policy priority, and to anchor the work in strategic policy frameworks on development co-operation. When possible, this can be included within legislation on development co-operation, to withstand global challenges and changing political climates. This approach encourages a long-term sustained focus on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, counteracting potential and temporary political shifts and push-back against gender equality.
Some DAC members have made the consideration of gender equality in development co-operation a legal requirement:
The United Kingdom’s International Development (Gender Equality) Act (2014) sets out the duty to consider the impact on gender equality in development co-operation and humanitarian assistance when a spending decision is made. Abiding by the Gender Equality Act is the minimum requirement of compliance for any intervention in humanitarian assistance or development co-operation and provides a framework for considering the impact on gender equality in a proportionate and mandatory way. Such legislation has been complemented by additional accountability initiatives to deliver DFID’s1 Strategic Vision for Gender Equality, including together high level personnel dedicated to advancing gender equality across the organisation, and developing a dashboard for reporting progress against objectives.
Austria’s Federal Act on Development Cooperation (2003) commits the Federal Government to a set of principles for development co-operation. It stipulates that any measure adopted shall take into consideration the equality between women and men.
United States: The Women’s Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment (WEEE) Act of 2018 (S. 3247) was signed into law on 9 January 2019. The WEEE Act seeks to better target development assistance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to women. The Act also includes a section that addresses the gender policy of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), specifically outlining a series of objectives for the policy (e.g. reducing gender disparities in crucial sectors, striving to eliminate gender-based violence (GBV) and reduce its harmful effects, increasing the capability of women and girls to achieve their rights, etc.). The Law also requires the integration of gender equality and women’s empowerment throughout USAID’s programme cycle in every sector and requires that all strategies, projects, and activities be shaped by a gender analysis. The WEEE Act’s definition of “gender analysis” is consistent with USAID’s Automated Directives System Chapter 205, “Integrating Gender Equality and Female Empowerment in USAID’s Program Cycle.” To comply with the gender analysis requirement, provide the agency with a repository of gender analyses, to enable reporting to the United States Congress, and to facilitate the exchange of information and best practices on gender integration, USAID has developed an internal online database to aggregate and compile the gender analyses carried out and used by all missions across the agency.
Spain’s law on international development co-operation (23/1998) identified as priorities human rights, equality and non-discrimination. In addition, Spain’s law for equality between men and women (3/2007) includes an article linked to development co-operation, mentioning the Gender Strategy as the normative instrument for applying the law in development co-operation. This has been fundamental to advancing progress on integrating gender equality in all processes, from planning, to management and evaluation.
Italy’s “General law on international development cooperation” (Law 125/2014), explicitly includes gender equality among the fundamental objectives of development co-operation (Article 1). The “Three-year cooperation programming and policy orientation plan 2019/2021”, envisaged by Article 12 also confirms gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls among priorities for Italy’s development co-operation system.
← 1. On 2 September 2020, the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office became the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) of the UK Government.
Clear connections with other development priorities are critical to considering complex challenges, and gender equality and other development goals are both interlinked and mutually reinforcing. For example, climate change and environmental degradation are often felt disproportionately by women for socio-economic and discriminatory reasons (OECD, 2021[6]). Some DAC members consider SDG5 and SDG13 on climate action in particular as essential to the success of the 2030 Agenda. These DAC members incorporate gender equality and climate action as cross-cutting priorities throughout their policies and strategies5 (for further discussion on mainstreaming gender equality, see Chapter 3).
Feminist foreign policy and feminist diplomacy
Diplomacy and other areas of foreign policy offer opportunities to promote gender equality beyond development co-operation. This can produce synergies with development co-operation. This approach also reflects the broader trend of integrating development agencies into ministries in charge of foreign policy, as is the case in the UK, Canada and Australia.6
DAC members’ feminist foreign policies, differ in scope and approaches.7 No definition of what “feminist” implies in the framework of these policies has been agreed upon, and the scope and coverage of the policies vary (Thompson and Clement, 2019[7]). It is clear, though, that in addition to development co-operation, further impact can be achieved by advocating for gender equality through different channels of foreign policy. This offers one way to address persistent systemic barriers and dismantle discriminatory norms in all areas of action. Joint action with other DAC members, including through the DAC Network on Gender Equality, can also help leverage impact.
DAC members should aim to convey gender equality advocacy through different channels of foreign policy and diplomacy, including by working across ministries in a whole-of-government approach. Adopting feminist foreign policies or promoting feminist diplomacy, with effective follow-up and accountability frameworks in place, can help anchor these approaches, broaden the reach of this advocacy and attract additional partners and investments.
Overall, the concept and the influence of “feminism” have evolved significantly, and high-level leaders are ready to claim a feminist mantle. While diplomatic efforts with partner countries have often focused on human rights issues in a broader sense, advocacy for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls has not always been a priority topic in diplomacy. Nevertheless, as a result of increased evidence of the benefits of furthering gender equality for economies and societies overall, diplomats increasingly promote gender equality as a core value. Sweden, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Spain have feminist foreign or development policies, aiming to establish a comprehensive and institutionalised approach to feminist diplomacy.
Sweden was the first country in the world to pursue a feminist foreign policy, in 2014, applying a systematic gender equality perspective in all areas of foreign policy. The point of departure was that gender equality is an objective in itself, but that it is also essential for achieving the government’s other overall objectives, such as peace, security and sustainable development. An overarching method has been to focus on women’s and girls’ rights, representation and resources. Sweden has issued a Handbook that focuses on working methods for achieving change and includes a section on how to pursue gender equality in the face of resistance. The Handbook is complemented by an Action Plan with more detailed guidance on implementation of the policy. The action plan and accountability framework, along with high-level ministerial leadership and staff ownership, have been instrumental in driving change.
Acknowledging that gender equality is a market-access issue and that trade policy today benefits men more than women, Sweden initiated a Feminist Trade Policy in 2019. This includes six focus areas to step up efforts to ensure that trade policy and trade promotion activities benefit women and men equally, that priority is given in trade negotiations to sectors, products and services that have positive implications for women, and that measures and initiatives are taken to improve the gender balance in Sweden’s promotion activities.
For more information, see the Handbook - Sweden’s feminist foreign policy, The Swedish Foreign Service action plan for feminist foreign policy 2019–2022, including direction and measures for 2020; and Sweden’s Feminist Trade Policy;
Canada’s Feminist Foreign Policy is the international expression of ongoing, co-ordinated and whole-of-government efforts to advance human rights, including diversity and inclusion and gender equality domestically. It involves applying a feminist approach across all of its international policies and programming, including diplomacy, trade, security, development and consular services. This builds on a series of sectoral policies and initiatives, notably the:
Trade Diversification Strategy, with its inclusive approach to trade
The Second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) (2017-2022), and a dedicated WPS Ambassador
These policies focus on dismantling persistent systemic barriers, discriminatory norms and inequalities based on sex and gender – including sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) – as well as on the basis of other intersecting aspects of identity such as race, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, language or disability.
Canada’s National Action Plan (NAP) on WPS guides Canada's development, humanitarian and peace and security efforts at home and abroad. Canada is currently initiating the work on its third NAP, in collaboration with its federal implementing partner departments with the ambition and increased domestic focus.
Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) was launched in 2017. It seeks to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls as the most effective way to reduce poverty and build a more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous world. FIAP includes six inter-linked action areas: gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls; human dignity covering humanitarian action, health and nutrition (including sexual and reproductive health and rights), and education; growth that works for everyone; environment and climate action; inclusive governance; and peace and security. Its feminist approach orients Canada’s efforts towards addressing the root causes of poverty and ensuring that they reach and involve women and girls in all their diversity, as well as all those who face discrimination or marginalisation. The Feminist Approach Guidance Note published in September 2019 details how Global Affairs Canada, the department that manages Canada’s diplomatic and consular relations, international trade, and international development and humanitarian assistance, adapts its internal processes and ways of working to support gender equality and realising human rights coherently and meaningfully.
France has referred to a “feminist diplomacy” for its foreign policy action since 2018. It promotes this in its International Strategy for Gender Equality (2018-2022). The strategy highlights the need to include a gender equality perspective “in all French diplomatic priorities and all political, economic, soft diplomacy, cultural, educational and development co-operation actions”. A 2020 analysis of France’s feminist diplomacy shows that its efforts have focused mostly on diplomacy in the strict sense and on ODA, leaving out other areas of foreign policy, such as peace and security and trade policy.
For more information, see Report on feminist diplomacy by the High Council on Gender Equality.
Spain’s Feminist Foreign Policy was adopted in 2021 and promotes a two-pronged approach, strengthening the work of the Foreign Service on gender equality as well as mainstreaming a gender perspective in all phases of foreign policy and actions. The policy lays out five principles to guide implementation: a transformative approach to bring about structural change in working methods and institutional culture; committed leadership; ownership; inclusive participation and partnerships; and intersectionality and diversity.
The policy also sets out the main channels to be used to promote gender equality: Mainstreaming the gender approach in foreign policy; bilateral and regional diplomacy; European Union (EU); multilateral diplomacy; international co-operation for sustainable development; consular protection and assistance; and public diplomacy.
Policy engagement and setting norms on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls
DAC members also contribute to agenda setting and policy making on gender equality at the international and regional level.
It is good practice that DAC members engage in the development of international standards and are actively involved in promoting the inclusion of a gender equality perspective in global and regional discussions.
These international and regional norms and standards then guide DAC members’ engagement on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, both domestically and in their foreign policy and development co-operation. CEDAW and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action are among the most prominent international legal and policy instruments that focus on gender equality, and they recognise the linkages between development and gender equality.
DAC members have been involved in setting standards on gender equality in development co-operation, such as the 2019 DAC Recommendation on Ending Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Assistance [OECD/LEGAL/5020] (Chapter 6). A gender equality perspective is also mainstreamed throughout other DAC legal instruments. For example, the 2019 DAC Recommendation on the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus [OECD/LEGAL/5019] (Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus) includes several references to gender equality.
The DAC Network on Gender Equality offers a space for DAC members to exchange views and information on these international and regional processes and potentially to develop common positions.
Many DAC members recognise multiple rationales for working on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. They note the intrinsic value of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls as the right thing to do. Women around the world at present have fewer opportunities, earn less, face more barriers, and endure more violence and harassment than men. Gender equality is a fundamental human right. DAC members also recognise that addressing gender inequalities can both enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of economies in partner countries and increase the effectiveness and sustainability of development co-operation – taking a more instrumentalist approach to gender equality, which is helpful in convincing actors or individuals that place less importance on the human rights argument. Some DAC members also identify, as one of the reasons for working on gender equality in development, that gender equality must be addressed collectively as a global issue and that it is a core value of their own democracies as well.
It is good practice for DAC members to recognise multiple rationales for working on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, including the fact that it is both the right thing and the smart thing to do. For maximum human rights and sustainable development impact, it is important to recognise that achieving meaningful and transformative results for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls requires addressing root causes, including unequal power dynamics, harmful social norms and systemic barriers.
A strong policy commitment to gender equality
DAC members’ overarching policy focus on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in development has increased over the past 15 years, including among the more recent DAC members.8 The majority of DAC members have adopted a dedicated strategy or policy on gender equality specific to development co-operation, most of which are overseen by members’ ministries of foreign affairs or development co-operation. Some of these frameworks have taken the form of Gender Action Plans.9 Other DAC members have elevated their approach to gender equality as a priority area by implementing a feminist foreign policy (Box 1.2).
Several converging factors are identified as having contributed to the enhanced commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The 2030 Agenda and SDG5 in particular, have been crucial to such commitments. A few members attribute the increased focus to the results of an audit on gender equality as a part of the implementation of a new or updated development policy, strategy or action plan. Increased international and political interest and subsequent increases in funding are other reasons noted.
To maintain and increase commitment to gender equality, DAC members can use and draw on the 2030 Agenda, which offers a common implementation and accountability framework at the international level.
The Action Coalitions set up and the commitments made in the context of the 2021 Generation Equality Forum – an initiative to strengthen implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action – can also be helpful to maintain momentum for gender equality.
Slovenia, the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic joined the DAC in 2013. These relatively recent DAC members have identified that their institutional commitments to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls have increased. Among the development co-operation agendas of these newer members, incorporating gender equality as a cross-cutting issue is the most common approach to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. However, in recent years, some have also included targeted actions and considerations needed to drive further progress.
Slovenia notes that gender equality has historically been a strong foreign policy focus. More recently, however, in the “Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Aid Strategy of the Republic of Slovenia until 2030”, gender equality has shifted from being a cross-cutting issue and become an essential component of its development co-operation strategy and achievement of the SDGs. Under this policy, gender equality is not only identified as a cross-cutting theme, but thematic priorities that support gender equality as an end goal, such as “women’s economic empowerment”, “ensuring sexual and reproductive health” and “ending violence against women and girls”, are also addressed.
Slovenia’s second “National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2018-2020)” contains elevated and targeted actions to advance gender equality through awareness-raising, education and training, and further integration of a gender perspective in security-related policies. It also enforces additional accountability for ethical and gender-related perspectives for personnel on missions abroad.
Slovak Republic: While gender equality, with an emphasis on the empowerment of women, was also identified as a cross-cutting issue in the Slovak Republic’s “Medium-Term Strategy for Development Cooperation of the Slovak Republic for 2014-2018”, there has been a significant institutional shift in its prioritisation of gender equality in recent years. In the “Medium-Term Strategy for Development Co-operation of the Slovak Republic (2019-2023)”, SDG5, achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls are cross-cutting themes in all SlovakAid’s projects and activities. However, the Slovak Republic has additionally incorporated specific actions to enhance the institution’s efforts to advance gender equality. For example, all development co-operation projects must indicate how they contribute to advancing gender equality and SDG5. This shift has led to an increase in efforts to support equality through methods of empowerment such as the creation of safe and equal opportunities in public life, education, health care and economic activities. As part of these intensified efforts, a handbook on gender equality in development co-operation was prepared in co-operation with the UNDP. Intended for both donors and applicants, it was issued in September 2021, followed by a webinar.
The Czech Republic’s inclusion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in development co-operation policies and strategies has also increased. The “Czech Development Co-operation” (2012) report notes targeted efforts with a specific focus on the empowerment of women and girls. In the “Development Co-operation Strategy 2010-2017”, “respect for the basic human, economic, social and labour rights” is one of three cross-cutting themes. While this cross-cutting theme identifies efforts to mainstream gender equality and empowerment-focused efforts in all programming, gender equality is not specifically highlighted as a cross-cutting theme. However, in the “Development Co-operation Strategy of the Czech Republic 2018-2030”, “gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls” is a cross-cutting priority throughout the strategy.
Korea joined the DAC in 2010. Korea’s Medium-Term Strategy for Gender Equality (2016-2020, and 2021-2025), aims to achieve SDG5 by a taking twin-track approach, pursuing gender equality as a stand-alone goal, as well as a cross-cutting issue mainstreamed in all development programmes. In addition, Korea’s International Cooperation Agency is leading a multi-stakeholder partnership to accelerate achieving SDG5 by addressing the underlying drivers of gender inequality and enhancing impact (“SDG5 Fill the GAP”). Forums and knowledge-sharing events are also part of this initiative.
Examples of thematic priorities for gender equality
Thematic priorities for gender equality are usually established to address key barriers to women’s and girls’ empowerment in areas where progress has been slow or has been reversed. Some DAC members with a well-established, long-term focus on gender equality may be able to promote gender equality throughout a range of thematic priorities. However, for small and new DAC members, it may be more advantageous to identify their comparative strength and to single out a limited number of areas for more focused support for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
DAC members should consider comparative advantages and opportunities when defining the thematic priorities of the gender equality policy, and focus on thematic areas where progress is slow or reversing.
A range of priority areas need to be addressed in working towards gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. This section addresses in more detail the thematic areas identified as a priority by the largest number of DAC members in the survey: women’s economic empowerment; fragility, women, peace and security and humanitarian assistance; and gender-based violence.10 This section is intended as an illustration of some thematic priorities and does not imply that other thematic areas are less important for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
Women’s economic empowerment
DAC members’ focus on women’s economic empowerment in development co-operation is a key response to rising poverty levels and the feminisation of poverty. Enhancing women’s economic empowerment is often a prerequisite for other gender equality goals, such as women’s participation, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and ending gender-based violence. Economically empowering women has the potential to create more competitive and sustainable economies. It has been estimated that if women participated in the economy at the rate men do, USD 28 trillion, or 26%, would be added to annual global GDP in 2025, compared with a business-as-usual scenario (McKinsey Global Institute, 2015[8]).
Because there is no agreed definition of women’s economic empowerment11 and the scope of women’s economic empowerment is so broad, most members also address multiple sub-themes of this thematic priority within their policies, the most common of which are “entrepreneurship”, “decent work”, “access to and control over, resources”, “private sector and economic leadership”, and “agriculture and rural development”. Some DAC members have also adopted separate strategies, action plans or policies to specifically address women’s economic empowerment (OECD, 2022[9]). Some DAC members see the decent work agenda, which includes employment creation, rights at work, social protection and social dialogue, as integral parts of the work on women’s economic empowerment, linking up with International Labour Organization legal instruments that focus on gender equality.
Many DAC members also recognise the importance of addressing unpaid care work as a major barrier to women’s economic empowerment, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic (OECD, 2019[10]).
To advance women’s economic empowerment through thematic prioritisation, DAC members can align with the seven key “drivers for transformation” identified by the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment (UN Women, 2016[11]; UN Women, 2017[12]). These drivers are: Tackling adverse norms and promoting positive role models; Ensuring legal protection and reforming discriminatory laws and regulations; Recognising, reducing and redistributing unpaid work and care; Building assets – Digital, financial and property; Changing business culture and practice; Improving public sector practices in employment and procurement; Strengthening visibility, collective voice and representation.
DAC members’ bilateral aid to the economic and productive sectors that integrate gender equality is steadily increasing (OECD, 2021[13]). However, a comparison between financing of sub-themes of economic empowerment and political commitments to these sub-themes shows mixed results. For example, the development co-operation and gender equality policies of many DAC members mention banking and business as a thematic priority, but significant scope remains to increase their investments in gender equality in these sectors.
Ending gender-based violence
DAC members’ focus on preventing and addressing gender based-violence (GBV)12 is much needed, since there is a very high prevalence of GBV around the world – a serious human rights violation. The increased and pervasive prevalence of online GBV contributes to this, fuelled by a sense of impunity due to an absence of effective measures to address and impede these actions (Aziz, 2017[14]). There are many forms of violence that fall under the umbrella of GBV. GBV is considered to be any harmful act towards an individual based on their gender, a term that is also meant to be broad because of the diversity of perpetrated acts of violence that emerge from unequal power dynamics and gender norms. GBV includes but is not limited to sexual violence, trafficking for sexual purposes, intimate partner violence, dowry-related violence, femicide, forced impregnation, preference for male children, child marriage, and female genital mutilation and cutting (Garcia-Moreno et al., 2013[15]). The deprivation of access to resources, education, or services can also be regarded as acts of violence in and of themselves, in addition to the fact that they reinforce the subjugation of victims. Efforts to address and end GBV are intrinsically linked with other thematic priorities for gender equality, such as sexual and reproductive health and rights.
On average, over one-third of all women globally have experienced a form of violence in their lifetime, with differences between regions and countries (WHO, 2021[16]). There is no single cause of GBV, but global research shows that entrenched social norms that result in power imbalances and gender inequality are among the most persistent drivers (OECD, 2020[17]). Additionally, GBV transpires in all societies as a means of subjugation, manipulation and control that propagates and fortifies gender inequality. To achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, GBV must be addressed.
Women and girls make up the vast majority of survivors of GBV, but men and boys also experience such violence, which remains a taboo subject in many societies. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual, plus other self-identifying members of the community (LGBTQIA+13) persons in particular are at high risk.
DAC members’ programmes often focus on changing negative masculine behaviour through outreach and dialogue activities, ensuring high-quality services to victims of GBV; and strengthening institutional capacity to implement laws and policies on ending gender-based violence. DAC members should seek to employ both prevention and response measures within their policies and programmes dedicated to GBV, in order to address this issue effectively. Members’ policies should take care to adopt a “Do no harm” approach and utilise survivor-centred and evidence-based strategies in responding to violence and supporting survivors. DAC members can also employ a variety of approaches that challenge societal gender roles and norms, shift power imbalances and interrupt patterns of behaviour that enable GBV. To effectively address gender-based violence, DAC members should also consider the distinct experiences of those whose converging identities disproportionately increase their likelihood of being targeted with violence that seeks to enforce discriminatory gender norms.
DAC members’ commitments to addressing, and ending, GBV is mirrored in the inclusion of a dedicated statistical code in the OECD’s Creditor Reporting System to monitor aid aimed to end violence against women and girls (VAWG) (Chapter 4).
DAC members have also demonstrated their increased commitment to addressing GBV through the adoption of the DAC Recommendation on Ending Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Assistance (OECD, 2019[18]).
Since SEAH is a form of gender-based violence, implementing the six pillars of the DAC Recommendation is instrumental in the efficacy of a multilateral response to this global issue (Chapter 6).
It is essential that gender-based violence, like gender equality in general, not be addressed as solely a “women’s issue”. A comprehensive understanding of what drives men to violence is pivotal to the ability to address the root causes and driving forces of GBV. It is also important to understand what structures and norms are in place that allow for the justification of this behaviour by all members of society, and not just men. Acceptance of men exercising gender-based violence is, to varying degrees, demonstrated by both women and men all over the world (OECD, 2019[19]).
The United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DfID) launched the “What Works to Prevent Violence” programme in 2014. This programme sought to mobilise GBP 25 million over five years for preventing of gender-based violence, through programming in 15 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. With a strong focus on research and innovation, a comprehensive understanding of the root causes of this form of violence was developed, as a means to create and implement effective preventative measures. This included an extensive examination of specific issues areas, such as the drivers behind men’s perpetration of violence, and women’s lived experiences following violence. The results from the What Works Programme led to the creation and testing of preventative measures that can be adapted to fit various contexts, scaled up to reach a broader audience, and replicated for use all over the world. Results from the global programme also demonstrate that that GBV is preventable. What Works has also released new programmes to address issues such as GBV in conflict and fragile settings, female genital mutilation and child marriage, has used new data to scale up past efforts, and has disseminated this knowledge in order to affect a collaborative, global response. (United Kingdom Government, 2014[20])
The Spotlight Initiative is a global, multi-year partnership between the EU and the United Nations to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence by 2030. Launched in 2017 with seed funding from the EU, the Initiative includes six mutually reinforcing programming pillars: laws and policies; institutions; prevention; services; data; and women’s movements. As a demonstration fund for the Sustainable Development Goals, the initiative provides evidence for the need to address gender equality as a precondition for achieving the SDGs. Civil society organisations are an important partner of the initiative, which promotes leadership and deep engagement of civil society for transformative and sustainable change in the elimination of gender-based violence (EU and United Nations, n.d.[21]).
Fragility, women, peace and security, and humanitarian assistance
DAC members’ attention to gender equality in fragile contexts14, humanitarian assistance, and women, peace and security is in line with the fact that gender inequalities are one of the root causes of conflict and fragility. Addressing these inequalities and putting women at the centre of conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding is crucial for building more stable and peaceful societies (Goemans, Koester and Loudon, 2021[22]). The 20th anniversary of UN Resolution 1325 generated important momentum for DAC members to renew/make commitments on this agenda.
However, the share of humanitarian assistance contributing to gender equality remains low, and calls have been made to increase the funding that goes directly to women’s rights organisations (WROs) in fragile contexts.
The 2019 DAC Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus Recommendation actively supports the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda, and a gender equality perspective is mainstreamed throughout the Recommendation. It calls on adherents to engage in gender-sensitive design and implementation of humanitarian, development and peacebuilding actions with an informed understanding of SEAH risks. As adherents continue to implement the Recommendation, attention to the gender-specific aspects can be further reflected in members’ implementation strategies.15 In addition, there is also opportunity to link the implementation of the Nexus Recommendation with the implementation of the SEAH Recommendation, which is particularly relevant in fragile contexts that face additional constraints in preventing and responding to SEAH. The SEAH Recommendation applies to both development co-operation and humanitarian assistance, which brings into play the need to address SEAH across the three HDP nexus pillars.
There are opportunities for DAC members to clarify their position and discourse around the WPS agenda, the HDP Nexus and gender equality in fragile contexts, so that it is clear that these agendas are linked. To help address and co-ordinate efforts surrounding these issues across the HDP Nexus, 98 UN member states have adopted at least one NAP on Women, Peace and Security (UN Women, 2021[23]). As the responsibility for these agendas is often held by different institutions in member countries (e.g. the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Development Agency, Ministry of Defence16), this would require increased collaboration between institutions at country and headquarters level. There is also a need to better connect discussions on humanitarian assistance, development co-operation, peacebuilding/keeping and gender equality at the international level, bringing together different communities of experts.
DAC members can strengthen collaboration between gender equality and conflict and fragility/humanitarian experts within their institutions, to ensure gender equality objectives are being met within humanitarian/fragility strategies and programming.17
The United States Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability (US Global Fragility Strategy) draws on promising practices and lessons learned in development co-operation for engagement in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. It highlights the need to collaborate and draw upon expertise of all government agencies as part of a whole-of-government approach. Its clear strategic priority is the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Act, for the meaningful participation of women in peace and security processes in areas affected by conflict and disaster. The extension of the nominal three- to five-year programming cycle to a 10-year cycle creates possibilities for more sustained and flexible financing. This could mobilise efforts to address linkages between gender inequality and fragility in the following ways which are aligned with the core objectives of the U.S. Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security:
1. Women are more prepared and increasingly able to participate in efforts that promote stable and lasting peace.
2. Women and girls are safer, better protected, and have equal access to government and private-assistance programmes.
3. The United States and partner governments have improved institutionalisation and capacity to ensure that WPS and global fragility efforts are sustainable and long-lasting.
Source: United States (2020[24]), United States Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2020-US-Strategy-to-Prevent-Conflict-and-Promote-Stabilit-508c-508.pdf.
In addition to the three thematic areas addressed above, “women’s participation, leadership and political empowerment” and “sexual and reproductive health and rights” were other priorities frequently mentioned by members. Both locally and globally, women’s leadership and political participation are restricted and underrepresented. Due to discriminatory laws, practices, stereotypes and lack of access to opportunities, women face obstacles to running for political office and obtaining leadership positions, marginalising them and further reinforcing gender inequality (UN Women, n.d.[25]). The participation, or lack of participation, of women in decision making directly affects the scope of policy issues addressed and the approaches to resolving them (Pepera, 2018[26]). Meaningful and equal participation of women in political life and in leadership in all sectors, including leadership of women’s rights organisations, is a prerequisite for achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in 1994 recognised that reproductive rights embrace existing human rights and that sexual and reproductive health and rights are central to health, well-being and development. This issue is also essential in humanitarian and other types of emergencies. However, opposition to SRHR in global forums has increased (Gilby, Koivusalo and Atkins, 2021[27]), inviting an increased policy focus on these issues by many DAC members. The Nairobi Statement on ICPD25 (ICPD25, 2019[28]) provides a global framework for the formulation of government and partner commitments essential for supporting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
A number of other thematic areas are equally as important in achieving gender equality as the ones addressed in this section, which highlights some examples based on DAC members’ policies.
Aiming for transformative change for gender equality
DAC members are explicitly identifying “transformative” change in their policies as the route to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. This suggests that there is engagement amongst DAC members on challenging gender power relations and social norms, as is needed to achieve true and sustainable gender equality (Rao and Sandler, 2021[29]; ATVET for Women project, 2019[30]). This is particularly true for those members that have had a well-established, long-term policy focus on gender equality.18
There are multiple definitions and contextual differences that determine how transformative change can help achieve gender equality, but a basic premise is that sustained change requires transforming unequal power relations and the harmful structures and norms – both visible and invisible – that uphold them, and addressing the root causes of inequalities (Hillenbrand et al., 2015[31]). The most successful and transformative results for gender equality will involve shifting patriarchal practices, norms and values deeply held by women and men alike.
It can be harmful to work within existing social and cultural systems and thus perpetuate existing gender stereotypes of women, girls, men and boys. Conversely, it is important to recognise and strengthen positive norms that support equality and an enabling environment – with the end goal of achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
A useful framework for examining gender-transformative change looks at change across three key dimensions:
Agency: individual and collective capacities (knowledge and skills), attitudes, critical reflection, assets, actions and access to services
Relations: the expectations and co-operative or negotiation dynamics embedded in relationships between people in the home, market, community, and groups and organisations
Structures: the informal and formal institutional rules that govern collective, individual and institutional practices, such as context, social norms, recognition and status19 (see Chapter 2 for a list of suggested monitoring indicators mapped against these three dimensions).
Changing gender norms and power relations is challenging and needs to involve societal structures and mechanisms, as well as communities, specific groups in a population, and individuals (Finland, 2018[32]). It is important to engage with those whose realities should inform change. A variety of mechanisms can be used to achieve this, including participatory approaches, theories of change, gender analysis and localisation efforts, to gain a contextual understanding of local circumstances (OECD, 2018[33]) (See Chapter 2).
DAC members should consider approaches to supporting transformative change for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, including encouraging an environment where power imbalances between stakeholders are recognised and levelled. This also includes working with local civil society organisations based in partner countries, and in particular women’s rights organisations, and engaging with men and boys and with youth.
This is addressed in more detail in Chapter 3. The link between the institutional learning agenda and organisational buy-in is also crucial to the success of any transformative approach to supporting gender equality (Chapter 6).
The gender equality continuum
A helpful tool for thinking about transformative change, and for identifying what type of impact a development intervention may have, is the gender equality continuum. The continuum categorises gender equality objectives and impacts on a scale:
Gender “negative” or “exploitative”: causes harm, implies a risk
Gender “blind”, “neutral” or “accommodating”: ignores and works around existing gender inequalities, but in the process, possibly perpetuates them
Gender “sensitive” or “aware”: considers gender inequalities
Gender “responsive” or “positive”: strengthens gender equality
Gender “transformative”: changes gender norms and power relations.20
See Annex 1.A for more resources around the gender equality continuum. An alternative framework differentiate between 1) do no harm, 2) empowerment – strengthen women and girls’ knowledge, access and opportunities, and 3) transformation – changing power relations (DfID & FCO, 2019[34]). The empowerment of women and girls is a critical aspect and a means of achieving gender equality. It is not sufficient, however, for transformative change for gender equality. Gender equality is not the sole responsibility of women and girls.
The EU’s Gender Action Plan (GAP) III: An Ambitious Agenda for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in EU External Action provides the EU with a policy framework for accelerating progress towards meeting international commitments.1 The GAP III highlights that, in addition to human rights-based and intersectional approaches, a gender-transformative approach is required to advance the effectiveness of the EU’s engagement on gender equality. To leave no one behind, the plan seeks to tackle all intersecting dimensions of discrimination, paying specific attention, for example, to women with disabilities, migrant women, and discrimination based on age or sexual orientation. The interrogation of oppressive gender norms and power imbalances is highlighted as one of the key elements involved in addressing the root causes of gender inequality.
The GAP also commits the EU to leading by example, and includes objectives around gender-balanced management, and that gender advisers or focal points are in place and trained.
The USAID Partnering to Accelerate Entrepreneurship (PACE) Initiative uses a “Gender Integration Continuum”. This identifies four critical steps to incorporate in policies and efforts where gender-transformative change, and subsequently gender equality, are the intended outcomes: 1) “fostering critical examination of inequalities and gender roles, norms and dynamics; 2) recognising and strengthening positive norms that support equality and an enabling environment, 3) promoting the relative position of women, girls and marginalised groups, and 4) transforming the underlying social structures, policies and broadly held social norms that perpetuate gender inequalities” (USAID, 2017, p. 12[35]). An example of this, in the design phase of an intervention, is to identify specific actions that will alter the pre-existing power dynamics between women and men in that area, and simultaneously create mechanisms and opportunities to amplify the voices of women.
USAID discovered that it was difficult to receive full institutional support when many actors, partners and non-gender specific practitioners did not understand why working within existing systems and engaging policies that, even unconsciously, take advantage of stereotypes of gender, can be harmful practices. This first step to understanding is often difficult for many people. The Gender Integration Continuum was created to offer introductory options for gender-transformative change, such as gender analysis. Resources such as courses or training on implementation strategies have been introduced subsequently to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the goals and processes at hand and provide support for transformative processes.
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) 2020 “Status Report on Gender Equality 2019: Striving for Transformative Change” demonstrates the achievements in narrowing gender gaps that have been jointly achieved by the SDC and its partners. Much of the SDC’s programmatic work rendered positive results, but the report reveals substantial room for growth to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The Status Report outlines the SDC’s intention to further gender equality and the conditions of women by transforming unequal gender relations, entrenched power imbalances and structural barriers. To achieve gender-transformative change, the SDC notes the importance of policy dialogue, innovative efforts and efforts to encourage men, youth and community leaders to play a role in advancing women’s rights and gender equality.
← 1. The EU Gender Action Plan III (GAP III) is a Joint Communication of the European Commission and the European External Action Service. It is thus the new EU gender equality policy framework externally, to be implemented by the Commission and the Action Service in all EU external action, in a Team Europe approach with relevant EU Member States.
At the intersection of gender and other inequalities
The theory of “intersectionality” suggests that social identifiers such as race, ethnicity, faith, socio-economic status, class, caste, geographic location, age, ability, sexual orientation, religion, migration status and gender come together – or intersect – to result in an individual’s lived experience (Bowleg, 2012[36]). Intersectional strategies encourage approaches that respond to the compounding dimensions of vulnerability and discrimination that must be considered to increase gender equality. In addition, the interests and priorities of individuals will vary widely.
It is good practice for DAC members to take intersectional inequalities into account. DAC members can ensure that resources and opportunities are provided and barriers are removed, so as to enable the equality, empowerment and human rights of all individuals.
There are three prominently recurring priorities for DAC members working on inequalities that intersect with gender21: the equality and rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals, women and girls who live with disabilities, and women and girls of ethnic or racial minorities.22 These three priorities are addressed in more detail below.
It is important to recognise the challenges in implementing an intersectional approach while also ensuring a focus on women’s rights and gender equality. In the context of the “leave no one behind” agenda, misinterpretations of intersectionality that incite problematic practices, such as tokenisation, single-issue interventions and identity politics, risk undermining solidarity and fueling an individualistic approach to injustice and discrimination and also ignore the structural nature of inequalities. The necessary focus on interlinked entrenched systems of oppression and marginalisation may be lost in lists of intersecting “categories” to address (GAD Network, 2017[37]).
DAC members should recognise that women and girls, and men and boys, are not homogenous groups. Policies and approaches should be developed or adjusted to equitably advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls – and thus leave no one behind.
LGBTQIA+ individuals and gender identity
Not all individuals identify with a binary concept of sex or gender categories of male and female. Gender identity and expression refer to a person’s deeply felt, internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond to the person’s physiology or designated sex at birth (WHO, n.d.[2]). Additional cultural expressions of gender exist in some regions (Pacific Women, 2021[38]).
Gender norms contribute to the discrimination, marginalisation and violence faced by LGBTQIA+ persons. The protection of individuals on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics implies extending the same rights to LGBTQIA+ persons as those enjoyed by everyone else, by virtue of international human rights standards (OECD, 2020[39]) The human rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are often not protected or realised, and many LGBTQIA+ and women’s rights organisations work across movements to combat threats to their rights, creating opportunities to build solidarity (Madrigal-Borloz, 2021[40]; Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, 2019[41]). LGBTQIA+ inclusion can be conducive to the emergence of less restrictive gender norms and can help accelerate gender equality (OECD, 2020[39]).
The fact that LGBTQIA+ persons are one of the most exposed and persecuted groups also incurs a host of political and ethical challenges for DAC members as development partners. In some contexts, gender equality advocates have made the strategic choice of delinking women’s rights from issues around gender identity and the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ communities. DAC members, however, need to consider carefully the possibilities for supporting all individuals’ human rights, as well as the harm that may be caused if neglected.
As society progresses and grows, definitions and language also evolve. Similarly, an understanding of the impact that words and language can have has changed.23
DAC members should aim to use language in their policies that encapsulates and represents the entirety of the population for whom the policies are designed.
Canada expanded its definition of “gender” to include a spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities in 2018, based on the belief that gender equality means that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or sex characteristics, are able to participate fully in all spheres of life. This is accompanied by investments to further expand and adapt policy and create new initiatives that promote the rights of LGBTQIA+ communities.
Canada’s approach to international assistance employs an analytical process known as GBA Plus (Gender-based Analysis Plus) to assess how individuals might experience a programme, policy or initiative by virtues of multiple intersecting factors. This method extends the analysis to assess for identifying factors beyond biological sex and socially constructed gender identities and considers other identifying factors. It also addresses the importance of diversity and inclusion in achieving transformative change and thus, equitable and sustainable development.
Spain identifies sexual orientation as one of the worst forms of discrimination and addresses it as a cross-cutting issue in its development co-operation, from planning to implementation. Effective measures for addressing LGTBI+ rights are being identified in the development of Master Plan IV for Spanish Cooperation.
Ethnic, indigenous or racial minorities
The population of nearly every nation includes people who constitute ethnic or racial minorities (OHCHR, n.d.[42]). Guided by the nearly universally ratified International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, countries have increasingly dismantled or abolished racist social and legal practices. While a number of international agreements address the need to understand and address the discrimination against, and the realities of, minority women, there is still much work to be done to link these mechanisms to advance the empowerment of this population (United Nations, n.d.[43]). For example, for many indigenous communities, the sustainable use of natural resources, along with clarification of property rights over land and water, is not just a question of human rights, but also of survival (OECD, 2021[6]).
Disability inclusion
It is estimated that 15% of the global population has at least one form of disability, a percentage that is even higher in many developing countries (WHO, 2011[44]). The number of girls and women with disabilities is substantial, and the vulnerability to violence of women and girls with disabilities is compounded, due to their “social exclusion, limited mobility, lack of support structures, communication barriers and negative social perceptions” (Plan International, 2013[45]). Due to the complex interface between pervasive gendered oppression and disability status, persons with disabilities face numerous additional barriers to accessing basic needs such as housing, employment, social safety nets and education (World Bank, 2021[46]). The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), adopted in 2006, recognises that women and girls with disabilities are, at times of instability as well as peace, at a heightened risk of experiencing violence, abuse, “negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation” (UN DESA, 2006[47]).
Full realisation of gender equality requires that women and girls with disabilities be able to equitably and fully participate in all social, economic and political structures of society. It is thus good practice for DAC members to use participatory methods that facilitate and strengthen the inclusion of voices from concerned communities at all stages of policy and programme cycles. This can help ensure that the barriers they face, and their experiences and needs, are considered and addressed.
Spain employs a number of instruments to address different intersecting inequalities in Spanish development cooperation and humanitarian assistance, such as the “Guide for the Inclusion of Disability in Development Cooperation” (2018). Within the development co-operation priority area of “Gender intersectionality and diversity”, special focus is given to sexual diversity and LGTBIAQ+ rights, indigenous women, women and girls with disabilities, femicide prevention, and protection from gendered sexual exploitation and abuse. The Guide clearly lays out that persons with disabilities are not a homogenous group and that multiple, and intersecting, forms of discrimination are often experienced by members of this population. The intended purpose of this document is to examine the realities of those who live with disabilities, to address existing issues and improve the effectiveness of Spanish development cooperation for this historically marginalised population. It also seeks to raise awareness, with the aim of encouraging ongoing engagement on disability inclusion, thereby ensuring the longevity of this initiative. Ultimately, the Guide seeks to use a human rights-based approach to Spain’s work with stakeholders and partners, to ensure the effective and equitable implementation of programmes and actions intended to support and empower persons with disabilities. Thus, additional measures to promote the empowerment of women and girls with disabilities are expanded upon and encouraged, and a number of frameworks and tools for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of relevant programmes are provided.
The United Kingdom’s former Department for International Development (DfID) released a “Strategic Vision for Gender Equality: Her Potential, Our Future”. This call to action recognised that, due to the convergence of other intersecting inequalities with gender, a disproportionate number of women and girls live in poverty and experience further discrimination. The DfID outlines focus areas through supplementary strategies such as the “DfID Disability Inclusion Strategy” and the “DfID’s Approach on LGBT Rights”. The vision of the “DfID Disability Inclusion Strategy” is to “[leave] no one behind” and to engage in actions that promote the engagement, empowerment and ability of all people to realise and enjoy their fundamental human rights. Within the strategy, it is discussed that advancing the equality of all women, including those with disabilities, also acts as a means of poverty reduction, as well as stability. Additionally, the representation and participation of people with disabilities at all levels within political and economic structures, equitable access to opportunities, and that increased research and data on the realities of people with disabilities is called for. The DfID seeks to achieve this vision by mainstreaming disability inclusion throughout all of the DfID’s development co-operation strategies and policies and by implementing the cross-cutting theme “empowering girls and women with disabilities” as one of three cross-cutting themes that will be systematically incorporated throughout this work.
Italy’s “Guidelines on the gender equality and the empowerment of women, girls and children in international co-operation (2020/2024)”, approved in December 2020, include specific reference to women with disabilities, underlining that they experience multiple discrimination and – especially in humanitarian crisis contexts – they are disproportionately vulnerable and exposed to violence, exploitation and abuse, including sexual and gender-based violence. The guidelines also include commitments to the need to collect gender and disability disaggregated data, to consider the sexual and reproductive needs and rights of women with disabilities, to ensure them equal access to education. At the same time, the “Guidelines for mainstreaming disability and social inclusion in aid projects”, approved in 2018, include specific reference to the need to: consider that women experience multiple discrimination; prevent, protect and sustain women with disabilities from all forms of violence, including gender-based violence; collect gender and disability disaggregated data; prevent all forms of isolation and segregation, especially for women with disabilities; and sustain initiatives that favour the employment of resources through training activities based on new IT technologies, in particular for women with disabilities.
DAC members can ask the following questions:
On political and policy priority for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls:
Is gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls a policy priority in strategic frameworks on development co-operation, and/or anchored in legislation?
Is there alignment between international norms and standards on gender equality and policies, and are efforts made to influence these norms and standards to address gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls?
Is gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls institutionalised in foreign policy and diplomacy, to enable the long-term and holistic approaches and responses in development co-operation that are needed to address root causes and shift norms?
Are clear and strategic connections made between gender equality and other development policy priorities?
On the rationale and thematic focus for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in the development programme:
Have different justifications for working on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls – including that it is both the right and the smart thing to do, and essential for leaving no one behind – been adequately recognised?
Are the connections between gender equality and other development priorities, including climate change, clear and well-established within the institution?
Is gender equality addressed in international partnerships, networks, negotiations, dialogues and other processes?
Do overall and sector-specific development policies/strategies incorporate any thematic priorities in support of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls? Are these selected based on evidence and the ability to commit for the longer term? Have the institutions’ comparative advantages (in terms of capacity, resources, contacts, etc.) been considered when defining these thematic priorities?
On the evolving conceptual framing of gender equality:
Does the policy and/or strategy lay the foundations for sustainable and long-term transformative change to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls?
Does the policy and/or strategy address different types of discrimination and inequalities that intersect with gender equality?
Have adaptations been made to policies/strategies and approaches in order to leave no one behind?
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[46] World Bank (2021), Disability Inclusion, https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/disability#:~:text=Results-,One%20billion%20people%2C%20or%2015%25%20of%20the%20world's%20population%2C,million%20people%2C%20experience%20significant%20disabilities (accessed on 12 May 2021).
For information about contextually feasible policy and programme options that support the economic empowerment of women, “A Roadmap for Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment” offers a guide for potential public-private sector collaboration: http://www.womeneconroadmap.org/sites/default/files/WEE_Roadmap_Report_Final.pdf
Although gender-based violence occurs in every corner of the globe, it is rooted in power, control and gender inequality, and is upheld by discriminatory norms and patriarchal institutions. However, some forms of gender-based violence vary depending on geographic location, as well as cultural and situational contexts. For more information on gender-based violence, see: https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/faqs/types-of-violence.
As a part of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, which puts human rights and dignity first and addresses the root causes of conflict at the forefront of approaches to security, the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 highlights the need to recognise the impact of conflict on women, and women’s participation in conflict resolution. National Action Plans (NAP) provide governments with a tool to effectively articulate priorities and implement UNSCR 1325. For more information on NAPs and to see which OECD and non-OECD member countries have adopted a NAP, visit the Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network’s “Global Map of Adopted National Action Plans” website: https://wpsfocalpointsnetwork.org/resources/.
For more information on using a gender equality continuum as a tool to facilitate the integration of gender into policies, strategies and programmes, see USAID’s “Gender Integration Continuum Training Session User’s Guide”: https://www.thecompassforsbc.org/sbcc-tools/gender-integration-continuum-training-session-users-guide.
For more information on, and examples of, participatory approaches, see the Institute of Development Studies’ “Participatory Methods” website: https://www.participatorymethods.org/.
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Intersex Youth and Student Organisation (IGLYO) offers a practical guide for learning more about the principles of intersectionality and activities to inform inclusive actions. For more information on the process of adopting an intersectional approach, see the IGLYO “Intersectionality Toolkit”: https://www.iglyo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Inter-Toolkit.pdf.
For more information on policy advice for helping institutions achieve more equitable and inclusive systems, the OECD Directorate for Education and Skills offers a presentation on “Strength Through Diversity: Framework and Approach to Intersectionality”: https://www.oecd.org/education/strength-through-diversity/Presentation_Lucie_Cerna_intersectionality_7th_Policy_Forum.pdf.
Notes
← 1. In 2020, the OECD conducted a survey (hereafter “the survey”) of the members of the OECD DAC Network on Gender Equality (GENDERNET), to which 24 of the 30 members responded. The survey questions addressed the issues raised in this Guidance and provide the foundation for its content (see Annex B).
← 2. The term “DAC member” in this document includes bilateral development agencies.
← 3. DAC has 30 members at the time of writing. In 2020, 24 members responded to a survey administered by the OECD Development Co-operation Directorate of DAC members’ approaches to gender equality and development. In addition, the development policies of all 30 members were analysed. The one member that did not identify gender equality and/or the empowerment of women and girls in its policy was Hungary.
← 4. In the survey, 21 DAC members reported having a dedicated policy, strategy or action plan for gender equality. Of the three members that reported not having a dedicated policy, strategy or action plan, one indicated its intention to create one.
← 5. DAC members noted that they link gender equality and women’s empowerment with other cross-cutting issues, such as climate change and the environment (12 members), human rights (5), corruption/good governance (4), intersectionality/the farthest behind (3), poverty (2), conflict (2), innovation (1), disability (1), job creation (1), indigenous peoples (1), access to food (1), and private sector development (1).
← 6. In the UK, the development agency has been incorporated into the department responsible for foreign policy and in Australia and Canada into the department of trade.
← 7. Sweden, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Spain.
← 8. Most DAC members indicated in the survey that their institutional focus on gender equality has changed, and increased, since 2014. Four members noted that their institutional focus on gender equality has not changed, the common reasoning (with the exception of one member) given that gender equality and women’s empowerment was already an institutional priority. Many DAC members reported having refined and scaled up their approach to the issue over the last decade. The methods used were: combining gender equality and women’s empowerment with other cross-cutting priorities (5), increasing participation in international fora for gender equality and women’s empowerment (3), and implementing a twin-track (mainstreaming as well as dedicated programmes) or three-pronged (adding policy dialogue to mainstreaming and dedicated programmes) approach (3). Five members indicated increased support for targeted sectors or in specific regions, 3 members noted plans to transform institutional culture, social norms and power dynamics.
← 9. For example, the EU’s “EU Gender Action Plan III: An Ambitious Agenda for Gender Equality”.
← 10. The survey asked DAC members to indicate their thematic priorities amongst: ending violence against women and girls (24 DAC members noted this as a priority), women, peace and security (21 DAC members), women’s economic empowerment (21 DAC members), the political participation and leadership of women (including women’s rights organisations and movements) (19 DAC members), sexual and reproductive health and rights (18 DAC members), gender-responsive humanitarian assistance (14 DAC members), girls’ education (11 DAC members), climate change (9 DAC members), and gender data (8 DAC members).
← 11. Although there is no universal definition of women’s economic empowerment (WEE), a shared perspective exists in the international community that centers on women’s equal access to, and control over, resources such as financial services, assets and capital, technology, property and land, natural resources and food production. These definitions also include women’s access to skill and business development, financial literacy, and representation and leadership. Some DAC members and international organisations build on this definition of WEE to encompass women’s enjoyment of autonomy and capacity to make decisions that shape their life. While resources and autonomy are essential to the empowerment of women and girls, a discussion of this thematic priority is incomplete without recognising the entrenched systems, such as restrictive social norms and laws that act as barriers to the achievement of this form of empowerment. Women’s safe, equal and empowered participation in economic life is often understood as being central to realising women’s rights and gender equality more broadly (OECD, 2022[9]).
← 12. Gender-based violence is a more inclusive term than violence against women. GBV could include violence against men, provided the violence stems from a man’s gender identity or presentation. Gender-based violence could also apply to violence experienced by gender non-conforming people. Violence against women is more specific than gender-based violence in that it only applies to people who identify or present as women https://www.friendsofunfpa.org/what-is-gender-based-violence-gbv/.
← 13. The acronym that is used to discuss the rights of individuals who are not heterosexual or cisgender (a person whose gender identity corresponds with the sex the person has or was identified as having at birth (Merriam-Webster, 2021[48]) varies between institutions. While many members still use “LGBT”, in a move towards inclusivity, some institutions have expanded upon this acronym, adding variations such as LGBTQIA or LGBTQ+ (the “+” is utilised in an effort to indicate the inclusion of a spectrum of sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions).
← 14. See OECD Fragility Framework for more information on the definition of fragility and the different fragility indicators. http://www3.compareyourcountry.org/states-of-fragility/overview/0/.
← 15. This includes strengthening messaging on the importance of gender within the Nexus; the integration of gender-sensitive, contextual analyses; developing and maximising the interlinkages between the WPS Agenda and the Nexus – especially within the peace pillar; and continued emphasis on the principle of “Do no harm”, in addition to an increased focus on the role of masculinities (OECD, 2021[50]).
← 16. Germany is the only DAC member with a dedicated Ministry of Development Co-operation – BMZ. For all others, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and European Affairs/State Department (names vary) have responsibility for this agenda, sometimes together with the Ministry of Defence and, where they have one, the development agency.
← 17. The ongoing joint work and meetings between the International Network on Conflict and Fragility (INCAF) and GENDERNET have proven useful in connecting these communities and as a way to enhance policy dialogue and expand the space for peer-to-peer networking and learning.
← 18. The following DAC members explicitly identify transformative change as a means for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls: Australia, Canada, EU, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.
← 19. This is an adaptation of a framework developed by Hillenbrand et al. (2015[31]), “Measuring gender-transformative change: A review of literature and promising practices”
← 20. This builds on the different versions of a gender equality continuum proposed in: (Government of Canada, 2017[49]; Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), 2018[52]; USAID, 2017[35]; Hillenbrand et al., 2015[31]).
← 21. Nineteen DAC members report that intersectional considerations to gender are currently addressed in their policy frameworks.
← 22. Twelve DAC members linked their work on gender equality with equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual, plus other self-identifying members of the community (LGBTQIA+) persons. Five DAC members explicitly mentioned including interventions to address the intersecting inequalities that are experienced by varying ethnic and racial minorities in their development co-operation policies. Eleven DAC members identified disability inclusion as an area of focus in their development co-operation policies.
← 23. A common example is the increased use of “gender-based” violence within the international community rather than “violence against women and girls”. This is an intentionally broad term to include violence committed against people on the basis of their assigned or identified gender, not limited to cisgender women and girls (OHCHR, 2014[51]).