ODA Spending


How much ODA does Sweden allocate to gender equality?



How is Swedish gender equality ODA changing?


Sweden has long been viewed as a global leader for gender equality and gender-focused development. However, funding for gender-focused projects has decreased year on year since 2019, suggesting a regression in gender-related focus.



How is Swedish gender equality ODA allocated?


Bilateral Spending


Because of its longstanding practice of gender mainstreaming throughout its ODA programming, Sweden’s largest funding areas for gender equality correspond to its largest funding areas overall: government and civil society received the largest share of funding for gender-focused projects (US$542 million, or 25%) in 2022, followed by humanitarian assistance (US$472 million, or 22%).


 


 

Multilateral Spending and Commitments


Sweden is a large contributor to the UN system. It is the largest contributor in total resources to UN Women, and the second-largest donor to UNFPA, with whom it has signed a multi-year contributions agreement of US$300 million for 2012-2025 (see sector Global Health). In line with its feminist foreign policy, Sweden strongly focuses on SRHR and supports initiatives such as She Decides.


Funding and Policy Outlook


What is the current government's outlook on gender equality ODA?


Sweden applies a gender lens to all its development projects: Sweden mainstreams gender equality into its ODA programming, ensuring that every project incorporates a gender lens. In May 2018, Sweden adopted its first development cooperation strategy for global gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights. The strategy focuses on the full enjoyment of human rights by all women and girls and increased access and use of sex-disaggregated data and research. It is backed by a funding envelope that covers work under the strategy of SEK1 billion ( US$115 million) for 2018-2022.


Sida applies a three-pronged approach to gender mainstreaming: This approach includes:

  • Targeted support to gender equality interventions;
  • Integration of a gender perspective in all operations and sectors; and
  • Highlighting of gender equality and women’s rights in dialogue with partner organizations.

Key Bodies



Related Publications

Germany's approach to feminist financing: Progress in one year?

Feminist Foreign Policies and development finance: a primer on practical applications

Japan's revised Development Cooperation Charter: Adapting to contemporary challenges

Looking for a cross donor perspective?

Learn more about SEEK's work on gender equality

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