Die Ungleichheit der Geschlechter ist eines der grössten Hindernisse für nachhaltige Entwicklung, ökonomisches Wachstum und Armutsreduktion. Die DEZA setzt sich dafür ein, dass Frauen und Männer gleichberechtigt ihr Potenzial entfalten und ihre Ressourcen sinnvoll einsetzen können.
Armut hat nach wie vor eine ausgeprägte Geschlechterdimension: Laut internationalen Untersuchungen sind rund 70% der in grosser Armut lebenden Menschen Frauen. Gesetze und soziale Normen benachteiligen viele Mädchen und Frauen beim Zugang zu Gesundheitsdiensten, Bildung, Führungspositionen, Finanzmitteln und zum Markt.
Frauen arbeiten oft in prekären Arbeitsverhältnissen, in wenig produktiven Sektoren und ohne soziale Sicherung. Zudem verdienen sie weniger als Männer. Sie haben auch weniger Einfluss auf soziale, politische und ökonomische Entscheidungsprozesse als Männer, und nicht selten erleben sie geschlechterspezifische Gewalt, Diskriminierung und Ausschluss.
Die DEZA setzt sich für gleiche Rechte von Frauen und Männern sowie für gleiche Voraussetzungen ein, wobei sie Männer und Jungen in ihre Genderarbeit integriert. Diesen Ansatz verfolgt die DEZA in all ihren Projekten und Strategien. Schwerpunktbereiche sind Konfliktsituationen und fragile Kontexte sowie Wirtschaft und Politik.
Mit der 2017 verabschiedeten EDA-Strategie zu Geschlechtergleichstellung und Frauenrechten ist die Gleichstellung von Frau und Mann zu einem wichtigen Pfeiler der Schweizer Aussenpolitik geworden. Die Strategie der internationalen Zusammenarbeit der Schweiz 2021-2024 behandelt die Geschlechtergleichstellung als Transversalthema, das bei allen Aktivitäten der DEZA berücksichtigt wird. Im Rahmen der Agenda 2030 für nachhaltige Entwicklung setzt sich die Schweiz für die Umsetzung des fünften Ziels ein: «Geschlechtergleichstellung erreichen und alle Frauen und Mädchen zur Selbstbestimmung befähigen». Die Schweiz hat auch das UNO-Übereinkommen von 1979 zur Beseitigung jeder Form von Diskriminierung der Frau (Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, CEDAW) unterzeichnet und die Gleichstellung von Frau und Mann in der Bundesverfassung von 1999 (Art. 8 Abs. 3) verankert.
01.01.2025
- 31.12.2029
In order to fight increasing gender-based violence (GBV) in humanitarian and conflict contexts, address the root causes in a sustainable way and to contribute to lasting change, Switzerland provides targeted, multi-year funding for GBV prevention and response, and invests in rights-based and survivor-centred projects of three key partners.
01.01.2025
- 31.12.2026
KoGe is an umbrella organisation whose mandate is aligned with the SDG 16+ framework (peaceful, just and inclusive societies). With its faith-based member organisations of protestant background that are deeply anchored in the Swiss society, KoGe empowers disadvantaged people and provides improved food security, education and health. It also strengthens communities in peacebuilding and conflict transformation.
01.01.2025
- 31.12.2026
The GEH Alliance is dedicated to addressing gender inequality and improving access to health for women, children and youth, in particular those affected by intersectional discrimination. Its focus is on addressing social norms, discrimination and violence that adversely affect health and well-being, mainly in fragile and crisis affected contexts. Its expertise on sexual and reproductive health and rights, sexual and gender-based violence, health systems strengthening and inclusion is very relevant in light of the Swiss IC strategy 2025-28.
01.12.2024
- 31.05.2027
The protracted conflict in North East Nigeria continues to expose vulnerable populations to multiple types of violence and abuse. This initiative implemented by local NGOs focuses on building community-based systems to prevent and respond to child protection and gender-based violence (GBV) risks. In line with SDC’s commitment to localization, this initiative will foster sustainable practices and local ownership to create a lasting impact for children, GBV survivors and their communities.
15.11.2024
- 14.11.2026
The project aims to address widespread Gender-Based violence against women and girls in both Rohingya refugee and host communities, as well as the need for skill development among youth, in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char. In partnership with UNFPA, Switzerland aims to improve protection services and provide training opportunities, thereby reinforcing its commitment to gender equality and social inclusion.
01.11.2024
- 31.10.2026
Thousands of children and women have exited areas controlled by non-state armed groups in Northeast Nigeria since 2021. The project provides temporary shelter and basic services and longer-term socio-economic reintegration to this group of civilians and other vulnerable individuals through a package of multisectoral assistance. The successful and sustainable reintegration of these individuals is instrumental towards peacebuilding and complements ongoing Swiss work on peace and security.
15.10.2024
- 31.12.2025
The contribution to the WPHF is to support women peacebuilders, humanitarians and human rights defenders working at the forefront of Women, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action (WPS-HA) issues. The WPHF, managed by UN Women, provides funding to local civil society organizations for women’s participation and leadership in situations of conflict and humanitarian crisis, contributing to a nexus approach.
01.10.2024
- 30.09.2027
Switzerland is leading the humanitarian-development nexus approach to the protracted Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh through five UN agencies, which will work to mainstream and institutionalise cross-sectoral cooperation by strengthening the capacity of local non-governmental organisations. This will not only improve assistance to refugees and advance durable solutions, but also promote local ownership and leadership of the Rohingya response, ultimately reducing costs.
01.10.2024
- 31.12.2028
The Arts and Culture programme aims to invigorate Nepal's arts sector by partnering with three local cultural spaces focused on documentaries, music and photography. it promotes creative expression, professional growth, gender equality and social inclusion and community engagement, contributing to cultural development and an inclusive Nepali society. The programme aligns with SDC’s Thematic Guidance on Culture and Development, supporting independent, diverse and participatory cultural sectors.
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.
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.
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.
