The Humanitarian Impact Institute (HII) believes that gender and women’s empowerment are critical for inclusive and effective humanitarian responses, as well as maximising economic and social progress for societies as a whole. Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and therefore also half of its potential. But gender inequality persists almost everywhere and stagnates social progress.

Sexual violence and exploitation, the unequal division of unpaid care and domestic work, and discrimination in public office, all remain huge barriers. All these areas of inequality are exacerbated in a humanitarian crises and increase vulnerability while decreasing agency. 

Political leadership, investments and comprehensive policy reforms are needed to dismantle systemic barriers to achieving SDG Goal 5 Gender equality is a cross-cutting objective and must be a key focus of national policies, budgets and institutions.

However, there are simple but powerful actions all humanitarian and development actors can take right now to reverse these issues in our programs and portfolios. The Humanitarian Impact Institute will work with your organisation to implement these.

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