2009-2010 FundHer Research Update. Brief 1: Trends in Bilateral and Multilateral Funding

This brief from AWID examines key trends in funding for gender equality and for civil society organizations from bilateral and multilateral agencies. They include the emergence of middle income donor countries and the aid effectiveness agenda which continues to play an important role in shaping bilateral and multilateral funding for development. It argues that while bilateral and multilateral funding agencies have been an important source of support for the advancement of gender equality and women’s organizing around the world, the overall level of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) for gender equality is clearly inadequate to meet the commitments made in Beijing and at the Millennium Summit. The document considers how the current financial crisis and economic recession seems to be impacting ODA levels explaining how except for Norway, most OECD-DAC donor countries are experiencing drops in their Gross National Incomes as a result of the financial crisis. Therefore, even if they maintain the same proportional commitment of ODA, the net amounts will drop. Any cuts are likely to be part of the overall decreases in ODA, and not necessarily because donors are planning to scale-back their funding for gender equality specifically. The document gives a brief explanation of The Gender Equality Policy Marker, a tool that donors could use to track the quantity of aid flows that OECD-DAC members allocate to gender equality and women’s empowerment. Several bilateral and multilateral agencies have launched new funds or gender budget lines and the document shares data available on the Dutch MDG3 Fund, the Norwegian gender budget line, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Fund for Gender Equality managed by UNIFEM. The Dutch, for example, have long been supporters and champions of women’s rights. The aid strategy launched in 2007 included four policy priorities: a focus on fragile states, equal rights and opportunities for women, growth and equity to bridge gaps between the rich and poor, and environment and energy. In spite of the significant impact of the current economic recession, gender equality remains a priority of the Dutch ODA.