8 March 2025 (DJIBOUTI, Djibouti): International Women’s Day is a global platform to celebrate the achievements of women and advocate for gender equality. In 2025, the theme “Accelerate Action” urges governments, organisations, and individuals to move beyond rhetoric and take decisive steps towards gender parity.
As a regional organisation, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has been at the forefront of promoting gender equality through policy frameworks, capacity-building, and advocacy initiatives that empower women and girls across its eight Member States.
Challenges to Gender Equality in the IGAD Region
Despite notable progress, women in the IGAD region continue to face systemic barriers in political representation, economic participation, and access to essential services. The region faces persistent challenges such as gender-based violence, limited access to education and economic resources, and underrepresentation in leadership and decision-making processes.
IGAD’s Commitment to Gender Equality
IGAD has demonstrated its dedication to accelerating gender equality through its Gender Policy Framework and the IGAD Gender Strategy (2023-2030), which outline concrete steps to mainstream gender considerations across the organisation and its Member States.
Key initiatives include:
✅ IGAD Gender Management System Handbook: A structured guide to help Member States institutionalise gender-sensitive policies and programmes.
✅ Customised Gender Mainstreaming Tool: A system for measuring and integrating gender dimensions into IGAD’s policies and programmes.
✅ Capacity Building & Training: Strengthening the capacities of policymakers, media, and civil society to implement gender-responsive policies.
✅ Regional GBV Prevention Programmes: Advocacy and legal reforms aimed at reducing gender-based violence and supporting survivors.
✅ Women’s Economic Empowerment Projects: Programmes promoting access to finance, business training, and market linkages for women-led enterprises.
The Call to Action: Turning Commitments into Reality
To truly accelerate action, all stakeholders—governments, the private sector, civil society, and international partners—must take bold steps to dismantle gender barriers:
✔️ Governments: Enforce existing gender laws, invest in girls’ education, and implement gender-responsive budgeting.
✔️ Private Sector: Promote workplace inclusion, provide equal pay, and support women-led businesses.
✔️ Civil Society & Media: Amplify women’s voices, challenge harmful stereotypes, and advocate for grassroots change.
IGAD remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering a future where gender equality is not just a goal but a lived reality.
Now is the time to act. Now is the time to accelerate.
For more insights into IGAD’s gender programmes, visit IGAD Gender Page
