Integrating a gender and diversity perspective into projects

Download the diversity handbook below

Gender equality is a human right recognized in international law and ratified by most countries. As one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reducing gender gaps and eradicating violence against women are the heart of gender equality progress. 

To achieve this, it is not enough to adapt regulations; it is imperative to work at the same time toward real conditions that allow access to equal opportunities in public and private life. This starts by recognizing women’s and girls’ different needs, experiences and contributions in particular, as well as all marginalized groups in general. New approaches are especially critical to communication and journalism projects.  

A step beyond human rights 

Why an intersectional gender perspective? Why not just call it a human rights perspective? To choose the vague expression of “human rights” is to ignore problems of gender, sexual identity, race, class, ethnicity, etc. This would be pretending that it was not women and other marginalized groups who have been excluded for centuries. The discrimination does not come from being human, but specifically from being a female, indigenous, poor or disabled.  It is only right that a solution correspond to this. 

Reducing structural gender inequalities and drawing a connection to other inequalities and discriminations of the beneficiary populations of international cooperations visible, enables more accurate and sustainable project responses.  

This guide was developed for DW Akademie projects and its partners in Latin America. It supports the integration of an intersectional gender perspective in the design, implementation and follow-up or monitoring of projects and programs. It offers ideas and questions that invite reflection on intersectionality, gender and diversity and how these affect development.