The SDC helps to defend the rights of women and girls in conflict situations and introduces measures to prevent gender-based violence. It also promotes women's participation in peace, transformation, and state-building processes.
Gender and women's rights in conflict situations and fragile contexts
SDC focus
The SDC works to strengthen the rights of women and girls in fragile contexts and to integrate a gender dimension into its strategies and projects in line with the National Action Plan 1325 (NAP 1325). With this plan, Switzerland meets the obligations of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, adopted in 2000. Resolution 1325 is the first UN Security Council resolution to refer to the impact of armed conflict on women and girls and, at the same time, to underline the fundamental importance of women’s participation in the success of peace processes.
The SDC has set the following two priority objectives in implementing resolution 1325:
1. To strengthen its commitment in preventing and protecting against gender-based violence with particular importance given to post-conflict contexts, humanitarian crises, and involving men and boys in its work on gender issues.
2. To strengthen women's participation and integrate gender-related aspects in local peace, transformation, and state-building processes.
Context
Women and men have different roles, needs, and vulnerabilities in conflict and post-conflict situations. Women, e.g., are particularly affected by gender-based violence and often rejected by their community after having been violated. Another important subject is the taboo in regard to male victims of sexual violence committed by other men. Thus the SDC seeks to ensure that men are not only seen as perpetrators but also as victims.
Furthermore, SDC aims to integrate women better into processes of national and local governance as well as peacebuilding, as they have an undeniably positive impact. Moreover, SDC want to insure to incorporate men further in its prevention activities promoting gender equality. The aim is to persuade men support this cause as their own, as it is not only in the interest of women but the entire society.
Links
Documents
Current projects
Selection
Response to Gender-Based Violence 25-29
01.01.2025
- 31.12.2029
In order to fight increasing gender-based violence (GBV) in humanitarian and conflict contexts, address the root causes in a sustainable way and to contribute to lasting change, Switzerland provides targeted, multi-year funding for GBV prevention and response, and invests in rights-based and survivor-centred projects of three key partners.
Core Contribution for Gender Equality & Health Alliance (GEH Alliance) 2025-2028
01.01.2025
- 31.12.2026
The GEH Alliance is dedicated to addressing gender inequality and improving access to health for women, children and youth, in particular those affected by intersectional discrimination. Its focus is on addressing social norms, discrimination and violence that adversely affect health and well-being, mainly in fragile and crisis affected contexts. Its expertise on sexual and reproductive health and rights, sexual and gender-based violence, health systems strengthening and inclusion is very relevant in light of the Swiss IC strategy 2025-28.
Core Contribution to Kooperationsgemeinschaft (KoGe) 2025-2028
01.01.2025
- 31.12.2026
KoGe is an umbrella organisation whose mandate is aligned with the SDG 16+ framework (peaceful, just and inclusive societies). With its faith-based member organisations of protestant background that are deeply anchored in the Swiss society, KoGe empowers disadvantaged people and provides improved food security, education and health. It also strengthens communities in peacebuilding and conflict transformation.
Protecting children, women and youth affected by conflict through local actors in Borno State
01.12.2024
- 31.05.2027
The protracted conflict in North East Nigeria continues to expose vulnerable populations to multiple types of violence and abuse. This initiative implemented by local NGOs focuses on building community-based systems to prevent and respond to child protection and gender-based violence (GBV) risks. In line with SDC’s commitment to localization, this initiative will foster sustainable practices and local ownership to create a lasting impact for children, GBV survivors and their communities.
Rising Together - Building Resilient & Inclusive Communities through Women & Youth Empowerment
15.11.2024
- 14.11.2026
The project aims to address widespread Gender-Based violence against women and girls in both Rohingya refugee and host communities, as well as the need for skill development among youth, in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char. In partnership with UNFPA, Switzerland aims to improve protection services and provide training opportunities, thereby reinforcing its commitment to gender equality and social inclusion.
Nigeria, UNICEF, Improved access to quality reintegration services for children and women formerly associated with non-state armed groups in Northeast Nigeria.
01.11.2024
- 31.10.2026
Thousands of children and women have exited areas controlled by non-state armed groups in Northeast Nigeria since 2021. The project provides temporary shelter and basic services and longer-term socio-economic reintegration to this group of civilians and other vulnerable individuals through a package of multisectoral assistance. The successful and sustainable reintegration of these individuals is instrumental towards peacebuilding and complements ongoing Swiss work on peace and security.
Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF)
15.10.2024
- 31.12.2025
The contribution to the WPHF is to support women peacebuilders, humanitarians and human rights defenders working at the forefront of Women, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action (WPS-HA) issues. The WPHF, managed by UN Women, provides funding to local civil society organizations for women’s participation and leadership in situations of conflict and humanitarian crisis, contributing to a nexus approach.
Catalyst for a Harmonised Approach on Nexus for Growth and Empowerment (CHANGE)
01.10.2024
- 30.09.2027
Switzerland is leading the humanitarian-development nexus approach to the protracted Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh through five UN agencies, which will work to mainstream and institutionalise cross-sectoral cooperation by strengthening the capacity of local non-governmental organisations. This will not only improve assistance to refugees and advance durable solutions, but also promote local ownership and leadership of the Rohingya response, ultimately reducing costs.
Arts and Culture Programme in Nepal
01.10.2024
- 31.12.2028
The Arts and Culture programme aims to invigorate Nepal's arts sector by partnering with three local cultural spaces focused on documentaries, music and photography. it promotes creative expression, professional growth, gender equality and social inclusion and community engagement, contributing to cultural development and an inclusive Nepali society. The programme aligns with SDC’s Thematic Guidance on Culture and Development, supporting independent, diverse and participatory cultural sectors.
Women’s Economic Empowerment in the South Caucasus (WEE)
01.09.2024
- 31.08.2026
Switzerland has been successfully supporting women and their businesses in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan since 2017. In this final phase of the project, Switzerland aims to institutionalize gender-related policies at national and local levels, build the capacities of the governmental and non-governmental partners to continue promoting women's empowerment and encourage the private sector to support more women in the formal economy.
FAIRWAY - Interregional Programme to promote decent work for migrant workers from Africa to the Arab States
01.09.2024
- 31.05.2028
Decent work for low-income migrant workers in the Middle East is promoted, in sectors particularly prone to forced labor and exploitation, affecting increasingly African workers. Through improved services, access to justice and representation, migrant workers have their rights protected. Interregional and regional cooperation is promoted for improved labor migration governance and safe migration, thereby enhancing the development benefits for countries of origin and destination.
Gender Equality in Food Systems
01.08.2024
- 31.12.2027
Gender-based discrimination, or the denial of women’s rights, is one of the major causes of poverty and food insecurity. The support from SDC contributes to women’s economic empowerment and the sustainable and transformative change in their livelihoods. FAO, IFAD, WFP and UN Women together tackle the barriers to gender equality at global, regional and national levels, including through the uptake of the CFS Voluntary Guidelines on Gender Equality and Women’s and Girls Empowerment.
