Resources

This Gender Equality Strategy 2022–2025 responds to reflections around two key concerns. First, why has progress towards gender equality been so slow and scattered, and even reversed? Second, what can UNDP do best in response? This strategy document describes the future direction of UNDP’s  work on gender equality and the empowerment of women, complementing the Strategic Plan 2022-2025. 

To accelerate and significantly scale up results, UNDP will help governments to place gender equality at the core of political, economic and environmental dialogues and decisions. UNDP stands ready to play this role including in opening difficult conversations around power imbalances and the distribution of resources. UNDP recognizes that mechanical and compliance approaches will not suffice to address the scope of gender discrimination.Over the past 56 years, UNDP has generated credibility and trust. Their presence in 170 territories across the humanitarian- development nexus provides an unparalleled 360-degree view of society in the countries where they operate. 

The strategy responds to several key lessons, including:

1. Shifting power dynamics

2. Integration and resources help scale up impact

3. Partnering with grass-roots and women’s organizations can shift policy

4. Financing matters

5. Coordination with the United Nations system

6. Expanded links with civil society

7. Private sector

Across its programmes, and driven by national development choices, UNDP pursues three directions of change. They all  reinforce each other and are fundamental to gender equality

1. Structural transformation

2. Leaving no one behind

3. Building resilience

UNDP recognizes that progress requires sustained action and investment over decades. It will strategically combine shorter-term incremental changes that reach individuals and communities with longer-term reductions in structural barriers that generate changes across social, economic and other systems. To achieve this Gender Equality Strategy and the commitments of the Strategic Plan, UNDP will pursue three enablers: finance, digitalization and innovation.

     1. Finance

     2. Digitalization

     3. Strategic innovation

UNDP remains committed to full implementation of and annual reporting on the principles and requirements of the United Nations System- wide Action Plan on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, led by UN Women. UNDP will invest in leaders skilled in opening spaces for self-reflection. UNDP will build a gender architecture supporting country offices in moving away from mechanical approaches to gender equality and towards dismantling structural barriers. Achieving this goal will require integration, coordination and gender expertise.