Gender

Description

Funding promotes gender equity and equality across U.S. development efforts by raising the status, increasing the participation of marginalized populations, and ensuring human rights are upheld. Programs seek to address the unique, intersectional needs of marginalized groups by addressing harmful gender norms, inequalities, and the systems and structures that perpetuate them.

Use of Funds

Funds promote gender equality programming in the areas of women’s economic empowerment; women, peace, and security; women and girls’ leadership; women and girls at risk of violent extremism; and addressing gender-based violence, including child marriage.

Justification

• Societies with greater gender equality experience stronger economic growth, better outcomes for children, and more peaceful countries.
• One in three women will experience gender-based violence (GBV) in her lifetime. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated already high rates of GBV, with UNFPA estimating that an additional 31 million cases of GBV will occur if lockdowns continue worldwide for 6 more months.
• 20% of women and girls have some form of a disability. It is estimated that 83% of women with disabilities will be sexually assulted in their lives.
• An estimated 12 million girls under 18 are married each year. Due to COVID-19, an additional 13 million child marriages are predicted before the end of the decade—the highest rates in 25 years. Married girls are often unable to complete their education, lack economic opportunities, and face increased risks from early pregnancy, childbirth, and intimate partner violence, perpetuating a cycle of poverty.
• 68 countries criminalize same-sex relationships, which increases the risks of violence against LGBTQIA+ persons and decreases their opportunities.
• The United States is far behind its allies in its commitments to gender equality, currently ranking third from last.