CFID was pleased to welcome our members, supporters and those engaged in international development issues to a briefing and panel event on the Women & Girls Strategy launched on 8th March 2023. We also received two contributions from organisations based in Kenya and South Sudan on the strategy, which can be found at the end of the page.
During the event panellists welcomed the publication of the strategy and its focus on three inter-related priority themes – the three Es:
- Educating girls – the right of every girl everywhere to secure knowledge and skills she needs to reach her full potential
- Empowering women & girls and championing their health and rights – unlocking their political, economic and social agency
- Ending violence – driving national and international action to end all forms of gender-based violence
Other areas welcomed include recognition of the need to act on climate-related issues given the disproportionate impact climate change has on women and girls, the strategy’s focus on inclusivity as well as commitments to address important issues including safe abortions and comprehensive sexual education.
The discussion also addressed the inclusion of gender-based markers and the commitment for 80% of bilateral ODA to be gender-linked. Support was given towards the focus on in-country FCDO representatives developing local strategies on how they can support the W&G strategy at a local level, with attendees looking forward to seeing this develop over time.
During the event, attendees also shared thoughts on where more clarity is needed as the strategy is implemented, as well as sharing what else they think needs to be factored into discussions around women & girls development-related issues. We will be taking these contributions forward as CFID works to support the delivery of the strategy and the UK’s leadership in many of the important highlighted areas within international forums.