The 2030 Agenda claims gender equality not only as a fundamental human right but as an essential foundation for achieving a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world, a critical element in accomplishing its goals. The COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated existing inequalities for women and girls globally in issues such as health, economics, safety, and social protection.

Gender equality, promoted through a feminist approach, as outlined in the Law 1/2023 of February 20, 2023, on Cooperation for Sustainable Development and Global Solidarity in its Article 2.2.e, is established as an indispensable, cross-cutting, and distinctive element of Spanish cooperation to reduce disparities between women and men, intensify efforts to close gender gaps, combat all forms of violence and discrimination, and promote the empowerment of women, girls, and adolescents, as well as to strengthen their sexual and reproductive rights from the perspective of human rights and universal public health.

There are hundreds of initiatives in which AECID participates: protecting women's rights, political participation, access to essential social services, the existence of appropriate legal frameworks, the fight against gender-based violence, poverty, the pursuit of peace and security... We do this in response to the demands of our partner countries, both through our field offices and in collaboration with international organizations, Spanish NGOs, and the countries we work with.

International commitments to promote gender equality have led to improvements in some areas: child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) have decreased in recent years, more girls are enrolled in schools, and the representation of women in the political areas is higher than ever.

There are still many challenges in achieving gender equality. If we fail to eliminate the discrimination women face at its root, the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals will be hindered, and in some cases, impossible.