Financing UN Security Council Resolution 1325: Aid in support of gender equality and women’s rights in fragile contexts
In October 2015, the international community will mark 15 years since the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325. This was the first landmark decision to place women’s interests and concerns at the centre of the international peace and security agenda.
Greater political attention at the international level has contributed to a rise in aid in support of gender equality in fragile states and economies. However, financial resources fall short of political commitments and the translation of commitments into progress on the ground remains a challenge.
This brief is a contribution to the 15th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and an input to the Global Study on the implementation of Resolution 1325. It provides an overview of OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) members’ aid to gender equality in fragile states and economies, and identifies financing gaps which need to close if ambitious commitments are to be realised in practice.
How much aid targets gender equality in fragile states?
DAC members’ aid in support of gender equality and women’s rights in fragile states has increased fourfold over the MDGs to a current highof USD 10.3 billion in 2012-13.
Aid to gender equality in fragile states has grown at a rapid rateof 10% annually since 2008, while overall aid to fragile states has generally remained flat.
Gender equality is rarely the primary focus of DAC members’ aid to fragile states.In 2012-13, only 6% of aid to fragile states targeted gender equality as the principal objective, suggesting that financing for gender-specific programmesis insufficient.
Who are the main donors and recipients?
Canada reports the largest share of aid to fragile states targeting gender equality as a principal objective (43% in 2012-13). The largest increases in aid to gender equality in fragile statessince 2008 were reported by Portugal, Korea and Japan.
The priority given to gender equality varies enormously across fragile contexts. 67% of aid to Nepal targeted gender equality in 2012-13 compared with 14% of aid to Iraq. More than 50% of aid to gender equality in fragile states is concentrated in just 8 fragile countries.
Significant shifts over time in the fragile countries receiving gender equality focused aidsuggest a lack of long-term support for gender equality at the country level. Nigeria, the fifth largest fragile recipient of gender equality focused aid in 2007-08, was no longer among the top 10 recipients in 2012-13.
Which sectors are prioritised?
Most aid in support of gender equality in fragile states goes to social sectors such as education and health. Significant financing gaps remain in the economic and productive sectors, and the peace and security sector. In 2012-13, only 2% of all aid to peace and security in fragile states targeted gender equality as a principal objective.
Women’s organisations in fragile states lack access to sustainable fundingdespite their vital role in building peace.In 2012-13, USD 130 million went to women’s equality organisations and institutions – a tiny amount compared with the USD 31.8 billion of total aid to fragile states.