Why gender matters in philanthropy

In today’s world, gender justice is not just a women’s issue – it’s a crucial part of building a more inclusive and equitable society. Amid multifaceted crises and global threats to democracy spanning Europe and beyond, prioritising marginalised groups, including women, girls and gender-diverse individuals, has never been more critical.

Gender, whether we notice it or not, permeates all aspects of philanthropy, impacting everything from resource distribution to programme effectiveness. UN agencies affirm that gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are pivotal drivers of sustainable development, helping to end poverty and hunger, foster prosperity, build peaceful societies and safeguard our planet.

Embracing gender equality isn’t merely strategic; it’s an essential catalyst for creating impact, fostering lasting systemic change, and building a more democratic and inclusive society.

Addressing gender inequality is both a matter of human rights and a strategic investment in societal progress. On one hand, it’s about justice – combating discrimination against historically marginalised communities, including women, indigenous peoples, disabled individuals and LGBTQI+ communities. On the other hand, gender equality is also an economic necessity. A McKinsey Global Institute report finds that gender inequality costs the world approximately $12 trillion in global gross domestic product (GDP). Empowering individuals of all genders – women, men and LGBTQI+ alike – unleashes new potential for economic growth, social change and poverty reduction.

Gender isn’t solely about women; it involves navigating power dynamics and recognising how intersecting factors like class and race influence experiences for all. Ultimately, it’s about creating equitable systems and structures that support a democratic and inclusive society.

All issues are gender issues

Nearly 30 years ago, the Beijing Declaration established that all issues are gender issues. The Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995 underscored the necessity of reassessing societal structures and institutions through a gender lens to achieve full equality. As the 1995 UN Development Report stated, “Development, if not engendered, is endangered.” This marked a significant shift, positioning gender not just as a goal but as a crucial means for advancing equality. The same can be said for philanthropy… “Philanthropy, if not engendered, is endangered.”

Gender mainstreaming – incorporating a gender perspective into actions, policies, or legislation – has since become a smart strategy for achieving sustainable development goals.

Gender integration: Leaving no impact on the table

“If your work improves people and the planet, then you do gender. You just might not be as aware or intentional about it as you could be, which means you could be leaving impact on the table,” says Theresa Hwang, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Gender is not a side issue – it’s central to creating lasting impact. A recent Bridgespan Group report reveals that many funders don’t consider gender equity when thinking about impact. In 2021-2022, while US donors made around 200 grants of $25 million or more to social change causes, only 16% explicitly focused on gender.

So, how does gender come into play? A workforce funder might overlook bank policies that restrict women’s access to loans, undermining entrepreneurship programmes. A livelihoods funder might fail to recognise that women are the primary food producers in low-income countries, directing marketing efforts toward men. In fact, women produce an estimated 60% to 80% of food in low-income countries. Investing in smallholder women farmers can improve agricultural yields by 30% and reduce carbon emissions by up to 2 billion tons by 2050. Conversely, environmental funders who support women in Indigenous communities may effectively combat deforestation by recognising these women as crucial environmental defenders.

Do no harm with gender in mind

Keeping gender in focus not only enhances impact but also safeguards those served through philanthropy. A “do-no-harm” approach to gender equality involves analysing potential risks of unintentionally reinforcing gender inequalities within projects and programmes, actively monitoring these risks, and implementing corrective measures as needed.

For example, if a health funder aiming to improve healthcare outcomes for everyone fails to recognise that women are often excluded from clinical trials – especially those for cardiovascular disease, cancer and mental health disorders – this oversight can lead to misdiagnoses and inadequate treatment for women, worsening existing health disparities. Conversely, integrating gender considerations into health initiatives can also have economic benefits. Women spend about 25% more time in poor health compared to men. Addressing this disparity could significantly improve women’s well-being and boost the global economy by an estimated $1 trillion annually by 2040, as women more fully participate in the workforce. (Why Gender Matters In Any Issue Area, 2024)

A critical juncture for gender justice

In today’s political climate, we’re at a critical moment in the fight for gender justice. Well-resourced and strategically coordinated anti-rights and anti-gender movements are gaining ground against progressive communities globally. A 2021 report uncovers the staggering scale of anti-gender funding, revealing $707.2 million in financial backing for these movements between 2009 and 2018, with the majority originating from the United States, the Russian Federation, and Europe. In Europe alone, annual anti-gender spending has skyrocketed, growing from $22.2 million in 2009 to $96 million in 2018 – a fourfold increase in just 10 years.

Additionally, several countries have tightened restrictions on foreign funding and NGO operations, with this trend continuing to spread. 99% of development aid and foundation grants still do not directly reach women’s rights and feminist organisations. Meanwhile feminist movements and gender equality initiatives remain significantly underfunded, leaving a critical gap in support for those advancing human rights. In particular, those groups working at intersecting forms of marginalisation (LGBTQI, indigenous, migrant and refugees, young feminists) are funded even less. We are facing an alarming reality that threatens to reverse hard-won gains in women’s and LGBTQI rights, posing a serious threat to democracy itself.

In a time of democratic backsliding and rising anti-gender movements, philanthropic organisations of all types have both the responsibility and the ability to act with courage to mainstream gender across internal practices and external strategies, to invest in those most affected by inequality, and to safeguard the progress already won.