When you follow the news, it seems like we are witnessing a major global backlash against women’s and minority rights. Is it really that bad?
Unfortunately, that impression is not misleading. Progress is being blocked in many places by radically conservative politics. In some countries, there are obvious setbacks regarding women’s rights – the United States is just one example. We are also observing this negative trend in our partner countries.
What are the main reasons for this development in those countries?
In recent years, health, climate, political, and humanitarian crises have coincided with a rise in violence against women, especially in rural areas. This is due to the interaction of various factors. One of the key issues is rising prices, which create stress – and many households are based on unequal income systems. In households where income is earned by only one person, this precarious situation often leads to increased domestic violence.
Gender equality work has become more difficulte. How does SWISSAID respond to these challenges?
Gender justice – meaning equal and fair power relations between all people – remains a central concern for SWISSAID. In all the countries where we work, we support projects and organizations that promote equality. Over the past few years, many successful projects have been initiated and funded, focusing on empowering women and involving men in the process. The positive experiences gained in some pilot countries are now being transferred and adapted to others. For example, intensive awareness-raising work against violence towards women and girls in India and Colombia is now also being implemented in Niger and Ecuador.
And at the political level?
SWISSAID is strongly committed to supporting women’s organizations. Strengthening existing women’s networks is the most sustainable work we can do. That’s the goal of our projects in Ecuador, Colombia, and Niger, which were launched as part of a cross-country program called WAVE (Women Against Violence Engagement Programme).
How important is it to involve men in gender equality efforts?
Men play a crucial role. When they understand how important it is for women to be independent, they also realize the positive impact this has on income, society, and the upbringing of children – and they are more willing to support these changes. In communities in Niger, active awareness-raising is taking place: men’s groups are formed to discuss different aspects of inequality, for example, the imbalance in workload between men and women. The realization of how harmful this is for society as a whole has motivated many men to support their wives in everyday tasks. This reduces women’s workload, allowing them to focus on other activities – such as learning basic marketing principles and selling their products profitably at the market. This has positive effects on the women’s self-confidence and the family’s overall income.
Are all partner countries at the same level when it comes to gender equality, or are there differences?
There are significant differences – also in the types of inequality faced. Our work focuses on the specific needs and requirements of the local population. For example, in Myanmar, Chad, and Guinea-Bissau, the focus is on the economic empowerment of women. In Colombia, Ecuador, and India, the emphasis is more on combating violence against women. We take a local approach. Each project is individually adapted to the specific situation. Before implementing a project, we engage in many conversations with local partner organizations and communities. Only in this way can we ensure that our work sustainably promotes gender equality on the ground.
