GENDER EQUALITY AND THE UN COMMISSION: A STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK

Funding feminist organizations is crucial for achieving gender equality, a key topic in discussions about public development aid. Supporting these organizations ensures faster progress toward equality. However, women’s and gender minority rights advocates face threats and opposition from influential anti-rights and far-right movements within governments. They need sustained support to continue their work on the ground.

INSIGHTS FROM THE UN COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

This issue was central to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which brought together countries worldwide on March 8 in New York. Civil society members such as CARE were present, but it was rather government representatives that negotiated the “agreed conclusions,” international standards they committed to follow for gender equality. Surprisingly, the CSW conclusions were particularly ambitious, reminding states of the need to mobilize financial resources and significantly increase public development aid for feminist organizations.

The CSW conclusions emphasize promoting a safe and supportive environment for all civil society actors and increasing public and private funding for civil society organizations. This includes solid, sustainable, flexible, and multi-year funding, prioritizing local and community-level initiatives. The report also highlights the need to “support the crucial role of civil society actors (…) in promoting all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all women and girls, especially those living in poverty.”

WOMEN AT THE HEART OF THE POVERTY CYCLE

Women and girls are significantly affected by poverty, making up 70% of the world’s extreme poverty population, which means one in ten women, according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres. They earn lower wages, hold the most precarious jobs, work longer hours, and also bear the burden of invisible and unpaid domestic work (Oxfam France).

To support them and combat gender stereotypes, a major obstacle to women’s economic empowerment, local associations are already implementing initiatives. Therefore, continued funding is crucial. The Feminists in Action project supports many associations, providing training and opportunities to women in around thirty countries. For instance, the Iraqi Bent Al Rafedain Organization (BROB) helps women set up income-generating projects and economically supports poor families. Similarly, the Association of Women in the Mining Sector in Cameroon fights against discrimination faced by women in this sector. Commitment to feminist organizations is closely linked to social issues like labor rights and poverty reduction, a commitment that must continue long-term.

CONTRADICTORY BUDGET CUTS IN FRANCE AND SAUDI ARABIA’S ELECTION AS CSW CHAIR

These conclusions starkly contrast with recent French developments, which are far less encouraging. On February 18, 2024, a drastic reduction in development aid of 800 million euros was announced, causing shock and dismay among French NGOs. This budget cut also affects funding for feminist organizations despite the guidelines of France’s feminist diplomacy adopted in 2019 and soon to be renewed. The CSW’s agreed conclusions serve as a reminder that financial commitment to feminist organizations is a necessity, not a temporary whim.

The second piece of bad news concerns the sustained implementation of the CSW conclusions, jeopardized by the renewal of its presidency in March 2025. Saudi Arabia has been elected as the Chair of the Commission on Women’s Rights, despite ranking 92nd out of 143 in terms of gender equality according to the Equal Measures 2030 report. In March 2024, the CSW conclusions were already marked by a semantic battle between conservative and more progressive states, particularly over terms like “gender” and “sexual and reproductive rights.” As the Chair of the Commission, Saudi Arabia will have significant influence over future conclusions, which does not bode well for the defense of women’s and gender minorities’ rights.