On March 14, 2024, Sonke Gender Justice, MenEngage Africa, the Government of Norway, and Reach Out NGO Cameroon collaboratively hosted a side event at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women 68 under the theme, “Accelerating Gender Equality in Fragile Settings: A Focus on Women and Girls.” The event aimed to address the crucial issue of gender equality in humanitarian and vulnerable settings.
The event featured a panel of experts from various fields who shared their knowledge and experiences on the topic. The panellists included representatives from international organisations, government officials, and civil society leaders, all of whom were committed to advancing gender equality in fragile settings.
In many fragile settings, women and girls face unique challenges that hinder their ability to achieve equality. These challenges include limited access to education and healthcare, increased risk of violence and exploitation, and lack of economic opportunities. The program sought to highlight these issues and propose new solutions to accelerate action to achieve gender equality in these circumstances.
Sonke Gender Justice’s Co-executive Director Bafana Khumalo and Her Excellency Ms. Lubna Jaffery, the Norwegian Minister of Culture and Equality discussed the urgent need to address gender inequality in fragile settings, emphasising the impact of crises on vulnerable groups such as women, girls, and marginalised communities. They stressed the importance of comprehensive sexual education, access to high-quality sexual and reproductive health services, and the engagement of boys and men in promoting gender equality.
“I know that many of us are pessimistic about what is happening in the world, but let me assure you, another world is possible. That world requires you and me to put your shoulder to the wheel and ensure that we put modalities that will ensure that women don’t have to ask. It is unacceptable that women in this age struggle to find sexual and reproductive health products and commodities when decisions are taken by rooms filled by men who have no clue about sexual and reproductive health and rights needs of women”, said Bafana Khumalo while giving his opening remarks. He further urged participants, particularly men who were in the room, to stand up and be counted “because women cannot afford another 100 years before there’s equality.”
Her Excellency Ms. Lubna Jaffery, the Norwegian Minister of Culture and Equality also shared commitments that were recently reaffirmed in the new action plan for women’s rights and gender equality in Norway’s foreign and development policy, and the government’s national action plan for women, peace and security. “We need to invest in comprehensive sexual education”, said while appreciating the importance of partnerships with civil society organisations.
The discussions went on to tackle the urgent need to address gender-based violence and promote women’s empowerment through education and economic opportunities. The panellists emphasised the importance of engaging men and boys for gender equality, as well as the need to develop policies that are inclusive of all genders.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic in fragile settings is a dire situation that has been exacerbated by gender inequity. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the virus in regions that are experiencing instability and humanitarian disasters, such as conflict zones, refugee camps, and areas affected by natural disasters. Furthermore, women and girls in fragile settings are more likely to experience sexual violence and exploitation, which can lead to HIV infection. They may be forced into transactional sex to meet their basic needs or to escape violence, which puts them at increased risk of contracting the virus. The impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls in fragile settings is devastating. They face social stigma, discrimination, and marginalisation, which further exacerbate their vulnerability to the virus. “HIV becomes an indicator for gender inequality in a context where we have high levels of HIV”, said, Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UNAIDS’s Director Regional Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa
Due to instabilities women and girls are still faced with the challenge of access to sexual reproductive health rights, the forum emphasised the urgent need for investment in women’s organisations and the importance of keeping girls in school to mitigate the risk of teenage pregnancy and HIV infection. Additionally, the discussion addressed the prevalence of gender-based violence, child marriage, and the lack of support for women’s organizations in humanitarian settings, underscoring the need for increased attention and resources to address these critical issues.
The event concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to accelerate progress towards gender equality in fragile settings.