Director's New Year's Message

Dear Colleagues, Partners, and Well-wishers,

Wishing you all a happy, healthy 2024. A year when wars end, peace is restored, and justice is served.

This is a special year for Gender Concerns International as we commemorate the 20th Anniversary of our groundbreaking work supporting women for their leadership, equality in governance, electoral parity & women, peace and security in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North & West Africa. Our work promoting gender justice in environmental decision-making and access to funding for women organisations in humanitarian assistance continues this year and beyond.

As 2 billion women will go through the polls this year, the year 2024 poses not only a challenge to democracy, but it also offers opportunities to reform and reinstate people`s trust in the institution. Democracy is not only about having a greater number of women casting their vote but rather to have equality within the Election Management & Administration Bodies as well as the most importantly to establish Parity on Candidate List. Voters in over 65 countries will determine the course of their governments and the leaders. The decisions made at the polls have far-reaching consequences, shaping policies and priorities that will impact the lives of billions. In this critical moment, it is imperative that the gender equality agenda reflects our practice.

The magnitude of this election year necessitates a collective commitment to addressing gender disparities. We firmly believe that the choices made by voters globally can either reinforce existing inequalities or pave the way for a transformative change. Gender Concerns International calls upon leaders, policymakers, and civil society organisations to prioritise and integrate gender equality vigilance in their plan of action, fostering a representative and equitable future for all.

As we step into a perplexing realm of 2024, Gender Concerns International reaffirms its unwavering commitment to addressing and rectifying gender disparities on a global scale. Our pursuit of gender equality is not merely a goal but a persistent journey toward a world where every individual, regardless of gender, enjoys equal rights and opportunities.

Reflecting on the events of 2023, a year marked by wars in Ukraine and Gaza, we witnessed the unprecedented atrocities committed on women and children. The toll of war tends to disproportionately affect women and marginalised communities, underscoring the urgent need for ceasefire, the resolution of conflict and immediate rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

As we embark on this transformative journey through 2024, let us draw inspiration from the current and the past challenges, recognising that the pursuit of gender equality is intricately linked to broader issues of peace, justice, and human rights. Together, let us strive for a world where every voice is heard, every right is protected, and everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive.

In Solidarity,
Sabra Bano,
Director, Gender Concerns International