Gender inequality is one of the greatest obstacles to sustainable development, economic growth, and poverty reduction. The SDC is helping to ensure that women and men have the same right to develop their potential and can use their resources in a meaningful way.
Gender equality
Poverty continues to have a distinct gender dimension: according to international studies, women comprise about 70% of people living in extreme poverty. Unequal laws and social norms put many women and girls at a disadvantage in terms of access to health and education, decision-making positions, financial resources, and the job market.
They often work under precarious conditions, in less productive sectors, and without social security. In addition, they earn less than men. Women also have less influence on social, political, and economic decision-making processes and often fall victim to gender-based violence, discrimination, and exclusion.
In working to ensure equal rights and conditions for women and men, the SDC integrates men and boys into its work on gender issues. These concerns are reflected in all SDC projects and strategies. Priority areas are conflicts, fragile contexts, the economy, and politics.
The FDFA’s strategy on equal opportunities and women's rights, adopted in 2017, made gender equality a major pillar of Swiss foreign policy. Switzerland's international cooperation strategy 2021-2024 addresses gender equality as a transversal theme that is taken into account in all SDC activities. Switzerland is also committed to implementing the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Its Goal 5 is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Switzerland is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) of 1979. Equality between women and men is enshrined in Article 8, paragraph 3 of the Federal Constitution of 1999.
Links
Documents
Status Report on Gender Equality 2018: Breaking New Grounds (PDF, 56 Pages, 6.0 MB, English)
FDFA Strategy on Gender equality and Women’s rights
Report on Effectiveness: Swiss international cooperation in the field of gender equality 2007-2016
Status Report on Gender Equality 2017: Closing the Gender Gap (PDF, 56 Pages, 6.0 MB, English)
Report on the SDC’s work against gender-based violence (May 2016)
Gender and Humanitarian Aid (2008) (PDF, 5.2 MB, English)
Status Report on Gender Equality 2017 (PDF, 56 Pages, 6.0 MB, English)
Current projects
Assistance en soutien psychosocial et protection intégrée pour les populations affectées par le conflit au Burkina Faso
30.09.2024
- 30.04.2026
Les populations déplacées internes au Burkina Faso, en particulier les femmes et les filles, sont exposées à des violations de leurs droits. Afin de contribuer à la protection de ces populations vulnérables, la Suisse soutient le projet de protection intégrée. Le projet vise à répondre à l’urgence et à appuyer les acteurs locaux (Etat, associations et communautés) dans la prise en charge des victimes et à réduire leur vulnérabilité en leur donnant des moyens de subvenir à leurs besoins.
FAIRWAY - Interregional Programme to promote decent work for migrant workers from Africa to the Arab States
01.09.2024
- 31.05.2028
Decent work for low-income migrant workers in the Middle East is promoted, in sectors particularly prone to forced labor and exploitation, affecting increasingly African workers. Through improved services, access to justice and representation, migrant workers have their rights protected. Interregional and regional cooperation is promoted for improved labor migration governance and safe migration, thereby enhancing the development benefits for countries of origin and destination.
Women’s Economic Empowerment in the South Caucasus (WEE)
01.09.2024
- 31.08.2026
Switzerland has been successfully supporting women and their businesses in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan since 2017. In this final phase of the project, Switzerland aims to institutionalize gender-related policies at national and local levels, build the capacities of the governmental and non-governmental partners to continue promoting women's empowerment and encourage the private sector to support more women in the formal economy.
Gender Equality in Food Systems
01.08.2024
- 31.12.2027
Gender-based discrimination, or the denial of women’s rights, is one of the major causes of poverty and food insecurity. The support from SDC contributes to women’s economic empowerment and the sustainable and transformative change in their livelihoods. FAO, IFAD, WFP and UN Women together tackle the barriers to gender equality at global, regional and national levels, including through the uptake of the CFS Voluntary Guidelines on Gender Equality and Women’s and Girls Empowerment.
République démocratique du Congo (RDC): Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation (TPO) Protection des enfants et des femmes
15.07.2024
- 30.06.2026
Les conflits armés à l’est de la RDC continuent à engendrer des violations graves des droits de l’enfant et de la femme, y compris les violences basées sur le genre, le recrutement forcé et le manque d’accès à l’éducation. Par le biais de mécanismes et structures communautaires et de gouvernance locale, ce projet vise à identifier les principaux problématiques de protection, y apporter une assistance et contribuer à leur résolution.
Safeguard Young People (SYP) - Tanzania
01.01.2024
- 31.12.2026
With 62% of its population below 25 years, the Safeguard Young People (SYP) programme supports Tanzania’s demographic dividend. The project advances young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) through a gender-responsive and inclusive policy environment, empowered youth who make informed decisions, and responsive health and education systems. SYP builds on 10 years of regional experience and UNFPA’s expertise.
Burundi – Programme conjoint sur les droits humains
01.01.2024
- 31.12.2027
La situation des droits de l’homme au Burundi reste préoccupante en raison de la persistance des violations des droits de l’homme et de l'absence d'obligation de rendre des comptes. Le Programme conjoint sur les droits humains est une initiative multipartite (Gouvernement et bailleurs de fonds) qui vise à promouvoir l’application du cadre légal en matière de droits de l’homme par des institutions crédibles et efficaces.
Sudan Conflict Affected-Populations Lifesaving Emergency Response (SCALE)
01.01.2024
- 31.12.2025
The conflict that broke out in Sudan on 15 April 2023 has led to a severe humanitarian crisis. Through the SCALE project, Mercy-Corps (MC) provides vulnerable conflict-affected and displaced individuals with Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) as well as food security and livelihoods support to meet their basic needs and enhance their coping capacities. SCALE adopts a nexus approach, leveraging MCs existing development and peacebuilding programming. Working alongside local partners, the project aims to amplify the voices of conflict-affected women and demonstrate the power of collective influence and action to address priority needs.
OCHA Interagency Protection / Gender / PSEA Project 2024-2025
01.01.2024
- 31.12.2025
Switzerland provides a contribution to the inter-agency Protection Standby Capacity (ProCap), the Gender Standby Capacity (GenCap) and the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Standby Capacity (PSEACap). They deploy Senior Protection Advisers to humanitarian field operations, as well as at the global and regional levels. Switzerland will strengthen the capacity of the humanitarian system to deliver better protection, gender equality and PSEA by providing strategic and technical advice to the Humanitarian Country Teams (HCTs) around the world.
EmPower II: Women for Climate Resilient Societies
01.12.2023
- 31.12.2025
With EmPower II, SDC contributes to a SIDA-funded project of UN-Women and UNEP promoting climate-resilient development for women and other marginalized groups. SDC’s support enables disaggregated data products for gender-responsive DRR and climate strategies and enhances capacities on the subnational level among policy-makers and CSOs. SDC’s support also facilitates financial access and literacy on renewable energy in Cambodia, Bangladesh and Indonesia.
For an Active Civil Society Together (ACT)
01.11.2023
- 31.10.2027
ACT-2 improves citizens’ participation in decision making at the local and national level through and with the support of civil society organizations (CSOs). Selected mission-driven CSOs are supported to strengthen constituency, diversify funding and effectively engage in advocacy. They jointly advocate with complementary CSOs and informal groups to increase impact and legitimacy. CSOs initiate dialogue and collaboration with local authorities, private sector and media to achieve development results.
Human Rights Grants (HRG) program in Tajikistan
01.10.2023
- 30.11.2025
The Human Rights grants program will support local and international organizations working in Tajikistan on acute Human Rights issues. The program will provide cofunding opportunities to selected projects related to child rights, freedom of press, human rights in custody, prevention of gender-based violence and the rights of migrants/refugees.