Government challenged to set a new trend in OS gender policy
As a Dutch gender and development organisation, Gender Concerns International welcomes the recent Dutch OS decision regarding an increase in the gender budget. However, to ensure positive effects and value for money, the policy should explicitly include direct resource allocation to Dutch women’s organisations. This will directly benefit their counterparts in developing countries and fragile states.
Large or small, Dutch gender and development organisations make a remarkable contribution to the attainment of Dutch development goals. The government’s OS gender policy should recognise the dedication and achievements of women’s organisations. Without sufficient funding, the potential of half of the world’s population to make the world a better place, is severely hampered. In these times of austerity, no nation can afford such a waste. Therefore we appeal to the new Minister and the Parliament to adjust the direction of Dutch gender and development policy and support Dutch women’s organisations and their partners in developing countries.
Women are agents for change and women’s organisations are catalysts for development and security. Broader societal Dutch and international gender awareness is a result of decades of work by the international women’s movement. Unfortunately women’s organisations themselves are neglected in resource allocation procedures.
Gender Concerns International strives for the effective participation of Dutch women and development organisations in attempts to achieve gender justice and women’s empowerment in developing countries. For example in highlighting the gender dimension of Afghan conflict Gender Concerns International played an important role by using Dutch channels to lobby US and other international community members to ensure that Afghan women could participate in key events in 2010: the 27th January London conference, the July Kabul conference and the Peace Jirga. This was possible because we work with major women’s organisations and networks in the region and are thus in a unique position to address the issue of Talibanisation, gender and international diplomacy.
To enable us and similar organisations to continue such work, we urge this cabinet to set a new trend by pledging a direct gender budget for Dutch women and development organisations.
For further information: www.genderconcerns.org
Sabra Bano
Gender Concerns International