In a precarious era for gender rights, the ascendancy of Donald Trump as President of the United States has raised alarms regarding the safety of women, girls, and gender minorities. This tumultuous landscape, compounded by the US’s anti-gender stance and significant reductions in the Overseas Development Assistance by nations like the UK and Canada, underscores the urgent need for civil society organisations (CSOs) to champion feminist demands. As these institutions confront harsh realities, their commitment to gender equality remains resolute, particularly within the Global South.
March heralded the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) at the UN, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration. Feminists rallied to reinforce the need for an evaluation of Beijing30+, advocating passionately for multilateralism. Voices like that of Katie Tobin from WEDO highlighted past agreements that enshrined essential commitments to anti-racism and development, urging continual support for these achievements despite current setbacks.
While the US’s positions at international forums like the Fourth UN Financing for Development Conference may seem influential, they have not deterred other governments from acknowledging the importance of gender in crucial dialogues. Grace Namugambe from FEMNET asserted that sovereign debt represents a feminist issue, stressing that debt cancellation is vital for directing resources towards women’s and marginalised groups’ welfare and combatting austerity measures that impede gender equality advances.
The discourse encourages a critical look at the World Bank’s and IMF’s approaches to gender, focusing on progressive taxation as a feminist issue amidst a backdrop of undervalued care work. The push for decent work encompasses recognition of all forms of labour, yet the ongoing emphasis on women’s participation in the workforce reveals a lack of holistic support. Thus far, prevailing private sector-oriented development strategies risk perpetuating the cycle of exploitation under the guise of human capital.
This precarious balance raises concerns about falling into the ‘billions to trillions’ trap, which seeks to mobilise private investment at the expense of crucial public services. Moreover, both the WBG and IMF must confront calls from civil society to dismantle structural barriers that hinder gender equality and acknowledge the detrimental impact of macroeconomic policies on women, advocating instead for enhanced public services and equitable taxation.
The ascendance of Donald Trump has heightened threats to women’s rights globally, as funding cuts from the US and other nations impact gender initiatives. Despite these setbacks, civil society organisations are boldly advocating for feminist demands, particularly during the 69th Commission on the Status of Women. Key issues include the importance of debt cancellation and the fight against austerity measures that disproportionately affect women. As global institutions grapple with gender equality, the push for progressive taxation and recognition of unpaid care work becomes paramount.
The struggle for gender equality is facing unprecedented challenges, notably from influential global powers. Amidst significant funding cuts and an alarming focus on private sector-driven development, CSOs are rising to the occasion, firmly advocating for the rights and needs of women and gender minorities. As this battle unfolds, the importance of debt cancellation, decent work, and addressing systemic inequality remains critical to ensuring that gains made in the realm of gender are not only preserved but strengthened.
Original Source: www.brettonwoodsproject.org
