Sweden’s foreign policy work for gender equality

At a time when gender equality is being met by increasing resistance, Sweden has a special role to play. Gender equality is both an end and a means to democratic and economic development. In essence, it comes down to harnessing the full potential and realising the equal rights of all.

Sweden is a key donor of development assistance to global gender equality actors such as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Within these bodies, we pursue Swedish priorities through participation on each organisation’s board. Swedish development assistance also supports civil society organisations and women human rights defenders who combat violence and discrimination, and work for increased gender equality.

In multilateral negotiations within international organisations, Sweden works, often together with the Nordic countries and through the EU, to strengthen commitments on gender equality and women’s and girls’ enjoyment of human rights, including on issues such as sexual and reproductive health and rights. We support special rapporteurs and expert groups in the field of gender equality, such as the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

The EU is a key actor in promoting gender equality internationally. Sweden strives to ensure that the EU continues to be a strong voice for all women and girls’ enjoyment of their human rights. The EU’s work on gender equality is guided in part by the EU’s third Action Plan on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in External Action (GAP III), the EU Roadmap for Women’s Rights and the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2021–2025.

Sexual and reproductive health and rights

That every individual can fully enjoy their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)  is a top priority of Sweden’s foreign and development assistance policy. Sweden’s support for increased access to sexual and reproductive health services contributes to improved health and increased empowerment for women, girls and young people.

Sweden promotes increased access to maternal health care, including midwives, contraceptives, comprehensive sexuality education and safe and legal abortions The starting point for these efforts is the international conventions on human rights, the political agreements from the UN conferences on women and population and development, and the Government’s reform agenda for development assistance and Sweden’s strategy for health and SRHR 2025–2029.

SRHR are a fundamental part of the EU’s core values and a prerequisite to achieve gender equality. The EU’s work in the field of SRHR is guided by several core strategies, such as the EU Global Health Strategy, the EU Gender Equality Strategy and the EU Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence. Sweden is working to strengthen the EU’s role as a leading global actor for increased SRHR measures, especially within the framework of EU development assistance policy.