Women around the world only have a limited influence on decision-making in politics, the economy, society, and even the household. The SDC is helping to ensure that women can fulfil their obligations as citizens on an equal footing as men and promotes their political participation.
The SDC systematically integrates gender equality dimension in its governance projects. In democratisation processes, for example, it promotes women's political participation at the local and national levels.
In Afghanistan, which is experiencing rapid urbanisation, the crime rate is increasing drastically. In eight of the country’s major cities, citizens are enlisted to assess the security challenges and to put collective measures in place to counter them. In a process supported by the SDC, priority is given to the active participation of women.
In Benin, the SDC empowers women seeking to be involved in political office or other decision-making bodies, such as local health and water committees.
Integrating gender aspects is also a priority in local community development in the West Balkans. Through its projects, the SDC promotes women's participation in budget planning and resource distribution, and takes into account the needs and interests of women, men, girls, and boys equally.
Women are still less represented than men in decision-making bodies in government and business, where the important decisions are taken. They are confronted with obstacles, such as entrenched social prejudices, lack of time, and inadequate education, which prevent them from being involved in politics as to the same degree that men are.
Decision-making bodies must be aware of the gender dimension, and women must be duly represented in them. The SDC believes that all population groups need to be included in local governance and in development of decentralisation processes. At the same time, the impact of policies and budget decisions on women, men, children, and minorities should be analysed.
Gender, Democratisation, Decentralisation and Local Governance (PDF, 9 Pages, 738.9 kB, English)
On the path to greater gender equality in Afghanistan (Asia Brief, February 2014)
Gender learning day on Women’s Political Leadership
Socially inclusive and gender responsive budgeting (PDF, 12 Pages, 6.3 MB, English)
01.05.2023
- 30.04.2026
In Myanmar, the pandemic and military coup have increased the risks for gender-based violence (GBV) and deep-rooted gender inequality. Through the Women and Girls First programme, Switzerland supports women, girls and young people to realise their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and fulfil their potential. It does so by strengthening community-based and ethnic systems to be more responsive to needs related to GBV, SRHR and mental health.
01.04.2023
- 31.03.2027
To engage more women in Georgia’s political and public life, the WILD project will (i) increase the political literacy and skills of 1’150 locally active women, their organizations and public servants; (ii) sensitize 60 journalists, and 150 data producers and users on gender-related reporting; (iii) contribute to development and adoption of gender-responsive laws and policies, benefitting some 38’350 public servants. The project will engage with men to foster behavioural change.
01.04.2023
- 31.12.2026
Le projet « Réinsertion des détenu.e.s en Algérie » contribue à la promotion de la réinsertion des détenu.e.s les plus vulnérables dans le tissu social algérien, dans un but déclaré de renforcer la cohésion sociale, une priorité pour le gouvernement. Le projet propose un accompagnement à la Direction Générale de l’Administration Pénitentiaire et de la Réinsertion (DGAPR) pour la modernisation et l’optimisation de la prise en charge et de la formation des détenu.e.s, dans le but de faciliter leur réinsertion sociale.
01.03.2023
- 31.12.2025
Le conflit armé dans le Nord-Ouest et le Sud-Ouest (NOSO) a déjà fait plus de 4'000 morts et a déplacé plus de 715'000 personnes. La population civile est victime de violations graves et répétées du droit international humanitaire et des droits humains. Ce projet vise à réduire la violence et améliorer l’accès aux services de prise en charge des victimes.
01.02.2023
- 31.12.2025
Children are among the most affected by multiple crisis in Jordan. The holistic child protection intervention proposed by Terre des hommes (Tdh) addresses and responds to the complex and intertwined protection needs of the most vulnerable children and youth in Jordan. It links quality of services with institutionalcapacity building and advocacy, thereby fostering a right-based and more sustainable child protection system and addressing hindering social norms in a comprehensive way.
01.01.2023
- 31.05.2027
More health workers with the right skills are needed to achieve the SDGs, particularly in low income countries. Switzerland contributes to a joint WHO, ILO and OECD program providing catalytic support to governments, social partners and other key stakeholders to develop, finance and implement national health workforce strategies and investment plans. This will improve the supply and employment of health workers, maximise their performance, create decent jobs and accelerate progress towards UHC.
01.01.2023
- 31.12.2024
The proposed project seeks to address key drivers of GBV, promote help-seeking behaviour, access to quality services for survivors and promote economic empowerment of vulnerable women and girls. Some key activities will include the provision of health, psychosocial, and protection support in one (1) existing safe house and three (3) women and girl-friendly spaces (WGFSs), the provision of unconditional emergency cash support to vulnerable survivors and livelihood opportunities. Through the partnership with WIDO, a local women-led organisation, CARE will work to transform negative masculinities and social norms.
01.12.2022
- 30.11.2025
Through the proposed intervention, the climate and conflict resilience of displacement-affected Yemeni in targeted locations will be reinforced through sustainable and community-led integrated water resource management (IWRM), sustainable water and sanitation systems, provision of multipurpose cash assistance (MPCA) and improved technical and institutional capacity of local partners.
01.11.2022
- 31.10.2024
The project will contribute to overall peace and security of targeted communities by addressing key civilian safety and security concerns, including child protection, intra-inter-communal violence, SGBV, women’s protection and empowerment, youth participation, community participation and general protection and peacebuilding. Interventions will focus on trust building and inclusion, enhancing capacities of existing community-based protection mechanisms including Women protection Teams and Youth Protection Teams, and Peace Committees, and restoring confidence in peaceful relations at community levels.
01.05.2022
- 15.11.2025
Latin America faces the second largest forced displacement crisis in the world with 7.1 million people forcibly displaced from Venezuela, Central America, the Caribbean and other continents. 6.2 million more are displaced in their own country. Persons in human mobility need protection against gender-based violence, exploitation and exclusion. In Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, Switzerland addresses causes and consequences of displacement, providing aid, striving for integration and supporting actors to protect the most vulnerable.
01.03.2022
- 28.02.2025
In collaboration with selected strategic partners, the SDC will promote gender equality and women’s rights in 3 priority areas that correspond to the SDC’s strategic interests and where it can promote innovative approaches: Peace building and crisis response, data driven advocacy and policy influence, and mobilising quality investments for gender transformative change. This will contribute to accelerate the implementation of the SDG 5 and to reduce its current funding gap.
18.02.2022
- 17.02.2027
This project, in delegated cooperation with USAID, supports democratic development in Serbia by fostering an enabling environment for civil society and strengthening its resilience. It improves capacities of civil society to perform its monitoring and advocacy roles, to facilitate citizen’s engagement and to engage in constructive dialogue with the government. Ultimately, this leads towards a more resilient, inclusive and pluralistic society.
