How to do Advocacy with a Gender Perspective
Diakonia works for a just, equal and sustainable world free from poverty, oppression, inequality and violence. Such a world is only possible if both women and men regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity are able to exercise their rights and make decisions about their lives and bodies. In other words: only with gender justice can we have human rights, democracy, and peace.
To make sure that Diakonia can contribute to this vision, we work for gender equality in two ways: On the one hand, through standalone / specific gender work – like the gender projects we support across the world that focus on issues like gender based violence, sexual and reproductive rights, LGBTI rights, etc. On the other hand, through integrating – or mainstreaming – a gender perspective in all our work regardless of thematic focus. Gender mainstreaming means that when we work on issues like human rights, social and economic justice, conflict or disaster risk reduction; we should always do it with a gender perspective so that this work contributes to gender equality, too. This is true for our development projects, our humanitarian response, and our advocacy work.
Please note that this guide/checklist discusses policy advocacy work aimed at decision-makers and the general public. It does not discuss other types of influencing work like aid dialogue with donors (which many Diakonia staff are involved in) or awareness raising at the community level.
