Women’s rights and equality
Women are the cornerstone of sustainable development. Without equality, we cannot speak of a sustainable society.
Is women’s position advancing?
Since the adoption of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women in 1979, the world has taken significant steps towards protecting women from discrimination and ensuring their civil, social, economic, and political rights. In 2015, these commitments were further strengthened through the introduction of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially goal number five, which focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls in society. Although there is global progress, the road to equality is slow and faces setbacks. Women are at a higher risk of poverty, malnutrition, lack of land rights, and limited power in decision-making processes. Moreover, reports indicate that women earned only 51 cents for every dollar men earned in 2019, highlighting the deep wage gaps that still exist.
The climate crisis: An unequal burden
Climate change does not affect men and women equally. Women and girls often face the greatest consequences of climate change, which exacerbates existing gender inequalities and poses threats to their livelihoods, health, and safety. In many regions, women bear a disproportionately large burden of securing food, water, and fuel, making them particularly vulnerable in the face of the climate crisis.
Without equality, no sustainability
Equality and the empowerment of women and girls are essential for tackling the world’s interwoven crises, including loss of nature, climate change, war and conflict, poverty, and inequality. Without equality, we will never be able to combat hunger and injustice or achieve a sustainable world. Female farmers have approximately 24% lower yields than men, mainly due to unequal access to resources.
By closing this productivity gap and the wage gaps in the food system, the number of people living with food insecurity in the world could be reduced by 45 million.
The Development Fund’s efforts for equality
The Development Fund is deeply committed to addressing equality and women’s rights through training, awareness-raising, and capacity building. Through initiatives like leadership training for women, dissemination of knowledge about women’s rights, financial management, and strengthening savings and loan groups, we work to increase women’s economic empowerment. This involves an improvement in their living standards, economic decision-making power, self-esteem, and social status.
The way forward for women’s progress
Although external studies show that the efforts of The Development Fund have strengthened women’s influence and recognition within households, organisations, and communities, there is still a long way to go. Challenging discriminatory norms and increasing women’s participation in local decision-making processes, including leadership positions, is crucial for achieving sustainable development.
By investing in women’s rights and equality, we are building a stronger foundation to combat climate change, reduce poverty, and ensure food security for all. In short: progress for women is progress for humanity.
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Women's Rights and Gender Equality
Learn more about The Development Fund's work with small scale farmers to strengthen women's rights and gender equality.