Skip to main content
Bora Kasoki Francine and Nikyobategera Japhet Célestin working on sewing machinesBora Kasoki Francine and Nikyobategera Japhet Célestin working on sewing machinesBora Kasoki Francine and Nikyobategera Japhet Célestin working on sewing machines

Gender equality

Gender equality

Why gender equality? Gender inequality is globally the most common form of inequality and remains a major obstacle to the eradication of poverty.

Concern specifically focuses on gender equality as a means to significantly reduce inequalities and empower people living in extreme poverty to improve their lives.

Across the world, millions of women and girls still do not have access to or control over resources and services that directly affect their daily lives. They live in fear of gender-based violence (GBV), are denied education, and have no say over decisions in their homes or in the wider community.

If we imagine a world with gender parity, we would see more access to education for girls, higher literacy and numeracy rates for women and girls, lower maternal and infant mortality rates, more women in the workplace, more women in leadership and more laws to support gender equality.

Gender equality is a key area of focus for all programmes in livelihoods, health and education in both development and humanitarian contexts.

Godfrey Sain (45) and Agness Bowa (33) at their dish drying rack
Godfrey Sain (45) and Agness Bowa (33) at their dish drying rack, they built in collaboration with Concern. Godfrey is a lead farmer and gender champion. Photo: Chris Gagnon/Concern Worldwide
Gender transformative awareness session held in South Sudan
Gender transformative awareness session with the Father and Mother groups at Mogiri and Lire health/nutrition centres supported by Concern in Kajo-Keji County. Photo: Concern Worldwide
Moyna Akter (33) and Md Siddiqe (36) with their son in Shahidnagar, Lalbag Dhaka
Moyna Akter (33) and Md Siddiqe (36) with their son in Shahidnagar, Lalbag Dhaka. Photo: Emdadul Islam Bitu/Concern Worldwide
Concern Rwanda light candles on cake to celebrate International Women's Day
Concern Rwanda joined the world in celebrating International Women's Day. Photo: Concern Worldwide
Shator (11) and Sharmin (11) at Nichgoddi Mari primary school
Shator (11) and Sharmin (11) at Nichgoddi Mari primary school, Daunbni, Rangpur. Photo: Gavin Douglas/ Concern Worldwide
Villagers of Sarkarpara gathered in Bangladesh, with one woman raising hand
Villagers of Sarkarpara gathered to attend Pot Play in their house yard. During the Pot Play, musicians and artists talk about nutrition, pregnancy care, and gender issues and raise awareness through the direct participation of men, women, and children organized by Concern Worldwide. Photo: Mohammad Rakibul Hasan/Concern Worldwide

A closer look at our approach to gender equality

Here are just some of the ways our gender equality programming is helping to change the lives of women, men and children around the world.

Gender transformative work

Gender equality trainings were an integral part of the Graduation programme in Democratic Republic of Congo, showing how gender can be implemented as part of wider programmes to greater success. The trainings offer a comprehensive approach to gender equality, violence against women and girls, and gender transformation. More than working around existing gender differences and inequalities, gender transformative work critically examines and challenges gender norms and traditional dynamics, and strengthens the systems that support equality between the sexes.

These sessions lay an important groundwork for the future which shows that a shift in attitudes can have a ripple effect around the community. This leads to men taking an active and equal role in the household.

Gender equality in education

Engaging men

EAGER Programme in Sierra Leone

Jamna feeding her daughter Shanti

Pakistan Hunger Appeal

  • 1 in 5 children in Pakistan are malnourished

  • Climate shocks increasing food scarcity

  • Your donation can fund emergency therapeutic food for those who need it

Donate now
Share your concern
Share