Equality changes lives

Gender justice is a prerequisite for social justice. Solidar Suisse works to ensure that everyone—regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, origin, disability or social position—can live free from discrimination and violence.

Why gender justice matters

Gender inequality is reflected in access to income, education, employment, land, health, safety and participation in political decision-making. It is reinforced by discriminatory norms, gender roles and power relations. Women, girls, LGBTQI+ people and other marginalised groups are particularly affected by gender-based violence, poverty, insecure work and exclusion. These experiences vary and often intersect with racism, ableism, classism, age discrimination or discrimination based on origin, religion or residency status. Gender justice therefore requires an intersectional approach: we must consider different forms of discrimination together and strengthen the rights, agency and participation of marginalised people.

Our approach in four points

Gender justice is not an add-on to our work. It shapes how we develop programmes, build partnerships, communicate and act as an organisation.

Equal rights and equal opportunities

We advocate for equal rights, equal pay for work of equal value, and fair opportunities for further training, development, leadership and participation in decision-making.

Strengthening participation and self-determination

We promote the equal participation of women, LGBTQI+ people and other marginalised groups in social, economic and political decision-making.

Changing discriminatory structures

We challenge gender roles, norms and power relations that exclude or disadvantage people. In doing so, we combine a feminist, intersectional and decolonial approach with concrete action against racism and discrimination.

Sharing responsibility

We work with partner organisations that share our goals and jointly refine our approaches. Local perspectives, knowledge and leadership are central to this process.

What this means in practice

We analyse inequalities from the outset

Programmes and projects must take different lived realities, roles, needs and power relations into account. That is why we analyse gender-based and other intersecting inequalities from the planning stage—for example, in access to resources and services or participation in decision-making.

We take a gender-sensitive approach to planning, measurement and learning

We use the analysis to define objectives, measures, budgets and indicators. Gender justice is integrated into monitoring, evaluation and reporting. What matters is not just which activities take place, but whether access, participation and power relations actually change.

We promote transformative change

We aim to do more than mitigate the effects of inequality. Together with local actors, we support approaches that bring lasting change to discriminatory norms, unequal decision-making structures and power relations. In doing so, we take care not to exacerbate tensions and to avoid harm.

We build partnerships on equal terms

Geschlechtergerechtigkeit ist Teil der Zusammenarbeit mit Partnerorganisationen. Gemeinsam prüfen wir, wo es Stärken und wo es Lücken gibt, vereinbaren notwendige Veränderungen und begleiten ihre Umsetzung. Dabei geht es um gemeinsame Ziele – nicht um Vorgaben von oben.

We also take responsibility as an organisation

Solidar Suisse will Geschlechtergerechtigkeit im eigenen Arbeitsalltag leben. Dazu gehören eine inklusive Organisations- und Führungskultur, vielfältige und faire Rekrutierung, gleiche Chancen und gleiche Bezahlung für gleichwertige Arbeit sowie Nulltoleranz gegenüber Diskriminierung, sexueller Ausbeutung, Missbrauch und Belästigung.

Gender justice is a shared responsibility

Gender justice does not happen overnight. It requires long-term commitment, strong feminist and social movements, and organisations that share power, call out discrimination and enable change. Together with local partner organisations, Solidar Suisse works to ensure that people can exercise their rights on an equal footing, have a say in decisions affecting their lives and drive social change.

Our work for gender justice

Central America

For equal rights and a life free from violence

Gender justice means that women and girls can live free from violence and discrimination and exercise their rights on their own terms. Solidar Suisse strengthens local partner organisations in their efforts to promote protection, participation and equal opportunities.

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