She drives change – Volume 6, Issue 2 (May/June 2017)

This issue of GREAT Insights brings together many perspectives and insights on the varied and innovative approaches related to gender equality.

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    Editorial
    Dr. San Bilal and Karim Karaki, ECDPM
    No regions, countries or communities can meet the challenges of the 21st century without fully and equally involving women and men, girls and boys. In the words of Kofi Annan, “Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.” Perhaps even more importantly, equality is about recognising the full humanity of all individuals.


    Features
     

    'SheTrades' and we all benefit
    Arancha Gonzalez, International Trade Centre
    More than a billion people around the world still live in extreme poverty. Trade makes a critical contribution towards accelerating and sustaining economic growth. However, to generate the economic transformation required to lift these one billion people out of poverty and achieve the goal of eradicating extreme poverty by 2030, trade will have to be shaped to account for the needs of the poor, the majority of whom are women.

    No sustainable improvements in nutrition unless women and girls are empowered as agents of change
    Gerda Verburg, Scaling Up Nutrition and UN
    The Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement’s vision is to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030, based on the principle that every woman, man, girl and boy has a right to food and good nutrition. Considering the abundance of international policy frameworks and initiatives that seek to address gender equalities in our food systems, putting the rhetoric into practice should not be so hard.

    Women, peace and security: Making sure that the voice of the voiceless is being heard
    H.E. Bineta Diop, African Union Commission
    In this exclusive interview, H.E. Bineta Diop speaks about her role, the state of women, peace and security and some of the challenges for women, peace and security in Africa, and the way forward for the new leadership of the AU Commission.


    Gender in crises


    Gender considerations in efforts to prevent the spread of radicalisation and violent extremism Comfort Lamptey, UN
    In the fight against violent extremism, women are still operating informally, in the margin of official decision-making. It is time for a more inclusive approach that promotes women’s participation in these efforts.

    Humanitarian crises are not temporary, nor are sexual and reproductive health needs
    Robyn Drysdale, IPPF Humanitarian
    Women and girls are disproportionately affected in humanitarian crises and face multiple sexual and reproductive health challenges in these contexts. International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) have been providing much needed support to vulnerable communities through their global federation of member associations, who provide contextualised, timely and tailored interventions drawing on local partners' knowledge and expertise.

    Macroeconomic perspectives
     

    Gender budgeting in sub-Saharan Africa
    Janet G. Stotsky, Independent Consultant
    Rwanda and Uganda are two sub-Saharan African countries that have achieved success with gender budgeting—an initiative to use fiscal policy and administration to address gender inequality and women’s and girls’ advancement. This short article highlights their efforts.

    Illicit financial flows and promoting gender equality through tax systems
    Crystal Simeoni, African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET)
    Tax has historically been seen as an overly technical issue reserved for experts in the field. However, it is clear that it can be used to address inequalities and especially gender inequalities, and so it is an area that must be recognised as a feminist issue.

    Equality dimensions
     

    Gender equality essential to confront climate change impacts
    Sven Harmeling and Emma Bowa, CARE International
    Involving men and women equally in decision-making processes results in more sustainable climate action. CARE’s community-based projects prove that through capacity-building efforts, men and women can play complementary roles.

    Women's struggle in food value chains
    Hanne Knaepen and Karim Karaki, ECDPM
    Women are structurally disadvantaged at the various stages of the dairy value chain. Although positive stories are emerging, more efforts are needed. Yet this is not a women’s struggle alone; involving men in consultation processes and implementation is crucial.

    Engaging men and boys for gender equality... What do women have to do with it?
    Angelica Pino, Sonke Gender Justice
    We can do it! An insider’s feminist view on Sonke Gender Justice – Can a “men’s organisation” become an inclusive organisation implementing the strategy of engaging men and boys for gender equality?

    This publication benefits from structural support by ECDPM’s institutional partners The Netherlands, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria and Denmark.

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