Gender

Description

Funding promotes gender equity and equality across U.S. diplomatic and development efforts by raising the status, increasing the participation, and ensuring the human rights of marginalized populations 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, prioritized healthcare systems, and more peaceful countries.
• One in three women will experience gender-based violence (GBV) in her lifetime. Countries are still dealing with the pandemic’s negative impact on rates of GBV and as a result, in some countries, violence against women is estimated to cost up to 3.7% of their GDP.
• About one in five women live with a disability and are ten times more likely to experience sexual violence, yet they have the lowest level of access to sexual and reproductive information.
• An estimated 12 million girls under 18 are married each year. Due to COVID-19 and an increase in gender based violence, it is estimated that by 2035, 110 million girls will be forced into child marriage.
• 67 countries criminalize same-sex relationships, increasing the risks of violence against LGBTQIA+ persons and decreasing their opportunities.
• The U.S. is far behind its allies in its commitments to gender equality, currently ranking 3rd from the bottom.