Gender

Our development efforts will be worthwhile only if we step up the fight for equality between women and men.

Gender equality is as it were a red thread woven throughout all of our work. We also have specific gender projects, in particular education projects for girls and projects against violence against women.

 

What we do

Education and decision-making

The right to education is a prerequisite for creating economic, social and political opportunities. In our technical and vocational training programmes issues regarding access to education and continued school attendance of girls are systematically taken into account; and so is the creation of a safe and healthy environment that is conducive to learning and empowerment.
In addition, we address both women and men with our capacity development activities.
Finally, incorporating gender issues and fostering the participation of women in the decision-making process when elaborating our partners’ policies, plans, programmes and budgets is a focus of attention.

Health and sexual and reproductive rights

Promoting and protecting sexual and reproductive rights – including HIV response – are key to women’s empowerment and the well-being of households. We address these rights throughout our health, agriculture, education and other programmes and we involve men and local authorities in the process.
Addressing the subject of family planning remains a challenge at the heart of the dialogue with our partners. Finally, we contribute to the fight against sexual violence with awareness-raising activities and the improvement of care given to victims.

Food security and food sovereignty

The bulk of people living in poverty live in a rural environment. For women it is increasingly hard to obtain land (land and inheritance rights) or to access to markets and formation, even though they are key players in the production, processing and commercialisation of food. By ensuring equal access to land, inputs, technical training and business opportunities, we support their income-generating potential.
Our agricultural programmes in particular work with women’s cooperatives help them to get more organised and to involve women in the management of the value chains (from production to sales).

Related content

The empowerment of women concerns women gaining power and control over their own lives. With our gender strategy (2019-2023) we try to reinforce this. Read more.

Enabel’s Gender Strategy 2019-2023

woman holding her baby

It is estimated that globally 200 million girls and women have undergone FGM. In Burkina Faso the majority of women have been cut. Together with communities and the government of Burkina Faso, Enabel works to put an end to this practice.

Ending FGM in Burkina Faso

picture of sandra galbusera

Interview with Sandra Galbusera on feminism and equal opportunities

Interview with Sandra Galbusera

News & Events

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Internships at Enabel: a springboard for future career and life plans

Meet Patrick Rached, Sohaila Osman and Aunalia Magne Foungue, who have been interns at Enabel’s Health Unit over the past months.

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18 December 2024

Renewed partnership between Enabel and Port of Antwerp-Bruges International: stronger positioning in Africa 

Enabel and Port of Antwerp-Bruges International announce the renewal of their strategic partnership for a period of five years, aimed at strengthening their joint commitment to Africa.

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13 December 2024

Evaluation of Enabel’s 2030 organisational strategy

In 2024, Enabel undertook a strategic evaluation of its 2030 Strategy to assess the strategy’s relevance and alignment with the evolving geopolitical context and partners’ needs.

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12 December 2024

Enabel’s crucial role in Belgium’s Comprehensive Approach

Enabel, a key partner of the federal State in international cooperation, plays an active role in the implementation of the Comprehensive Approach.

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12 December 2024

A New Gateway to Skills

Sub-Saharan Africa faces a significant skills mismatch. This Team Europe Initiative addresses this by focusing on opportunity-driven skills and vocational training.

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News

27 November 2024

Enabel welcomes second mandate of its CEO Jean Van Wetter

Last September, Enabel’s Board of Directors extended the mandate of CEO Jean Van Wetter for a term of six years.

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