Local and international cooperation contributes to equality and equal rights for all – for example, through legislative changes that strengthen political representation, combat violence and ensure everyone’s right to sexual freedom and health.
Focus on four countries with gender equality challenges
KVINFO’s international work takes place mainly in four countries in the Middle East and North Africa, often called the MENA region. The four countries are:
All four countries are all characterised by widespread inequality. In the UN’s latest index for gender equality, Morocco is number 123 out of 189 countries, Tunisia and Jordan are both number 95, and Egypt ranks number 115. In comparison, Norway is number one and Denmark is number 11.
Strong voices for human rights and gender justice
The aim of both national and international work is societies with equal opportunities, rights, and responsibilities for everyone.
The international programme is implemented through partnerships with national and international NGOs, networks, governmental institutions, private sector companies, professional associations, trade unions, religious institutions, media, and academia. Use this link to read more on becoming strong voises for human rights and gender justice.
Projects include adaptivitiy to ensure that progress is possible despite instabilities and political changes in the Middle East and North Africa. KVINFO’s approach includes space for learning and experimentation, information sharing, and changes in methodologies and strategies.
REFORMS, POLITICAL PARTICIPATION, SAFETY AND HEALTH
Partnerships, Rights and Innovation
- Read about KVINFO’s approach to gender equality on this link.
- Human Rights are at the core of our work. Read more on Human Rights and gender equality on this link.
- Working in partnership adds value to processes, results, and sustainability. Find out how we do it on this link.
- You will find a list of our partners on this link.
- This link takes you to a list of our projects.
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals are at the heart of KVINFO’s international work, which has four themes:
- Law reform: We apply a Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA). This means that all people have the right to have their human rights fulfilled, and that it is the responsibility of individual countries to make this happen. Therefore, part of KVINFO’s international work is to ensure changes in the law, so that all genders are equal both in private life and formally in the legislation. Specific projects address, for example, that men and women must have the right to inherit on an equal footing.
- Political representation: Men and women have different opportunities to participate actively in political life in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan, and women are generally less active and less represented than men. KVINFO’s international work focuses on enabling women to take part in the political life of their country. This is done both by working for rules and legislation for equal representation and by preparing women with knowledge and courses to play a qualified role.
- Combating violence: Violence and violence against women is a widespread problem in large parts of the MENA region. Several countries, for example, have no legislation prohibiting marital violence. In KVINFO’s international collaboration, there is a focus on, for example, shelters for women who seek safety from violent partners.
About us
KVINFO is the Danish Centre for Gender and Equality. Our mission is, on a knowledge-based foundation, to qualify public debate and change, and to promote gender equality in the actual context nationally and internationally.
Through development and application of tools, dissemination of information and advocacy, we contribute to changes in norms, cultures, and structures.
Our international work is financed by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Danish-Arab Partnership Programme, the European Union, and Novo Nordisk Foundation.
- Sexual health: The populations of the MENA region have poor access to sexual health, and this affects not least young people. This problem is addressed, for example, by working to stop female genital mutilation and child marriages and by advocating for compulsory sexual education. Also, support to the rights of LGBT+ persons is an important part of KVINFO’s international commitment.
In parallel with the four thematic areas, KVINFO works to ensure and promote the active inclusion of women in local and international work for peace and conflict resolution, as described in the UN Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.