Published on 7 April 2025

Peace, governance and equality

Democratic principles and good governance are increasingly under pressure due to weakened institutions and rising authoritarianism. In parallel, conflict and violence are on the rise, accompanied by a growing disrespect for international law and disregard for human rights, trends that are compounded by persistent gender inequality. The SDC invests in peace, governance, and equality, which is necessary to achieve a sustainable development impact.

Citizens of all ages, sitting on benches in a rural community in Bangladesh, engage in the Local Governance planning process by voting with raised hands. — © Helvetas

Thematic context

Democracy and public institutions have been facing serious challenges around the world. Misinformation is spreading, free expression is threatened, human rights abuses are on the rise, and there has been a noticeable gender backlash. Corruption worsens public service delivery and creates distrust in institutions. A large number of people are affected by active conflict and violence.

Around the world, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles: only 27% of parliamentarians and 17% of heads of state are women. Women’s participation in the workforce has stalled at about 50%, compared to 80% for men, and they often earn less and work in informal jobs. Gender based violence (GBV) also remains a huge issue, with one in three women experiencing violence in her lifetime. To address these issues, it is essential to strengthen public services and governance principles (participation, transparency, accountability), as well as promote equality between men and women.

Swiss expertise

Switzerland has built a solid reputation for supporting democratic principles, and encouraging the work of local public institutions. Switzerland is recognised globally for its commitment to peace, human rights, and international humanitarian law, as well as its efforts to improve public services and combat corruption. Regarding the responsible return of illicit assets, Switzerland has been able to establish a number of good practices, that it actively promotes at a global level to emphasise the importance of asset restitution for sustainable development.

As an actor with a long history of mediation, Switzerland plays an important role in fostering dialogue and trust among different communities, including the most vulnerable. This approach allows Switzerland to promote peace by addressing the root causes of conflict, reduce violence and transform conflicts.

Switzerland is also recognised for its efforts to increase civic participation and improve women’s representation in public institutions and political processes. The country’s focus on inclusion, not only for women but also for linguistic minorities and rural populations, is widely acknowledged. Switzerland also takes significant steps to combat violence against women, including the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH), through prevention and response programs, often led by local communities.

Priorities

The Swiss International Cooperation Strategy 2025-2028 emphasises a commitment to gender equality, good governance and a human rights-based approach with a standalone objective on peace and governance. The systematic inclusion of gender and governance in all activities is mandatory in the SDC, and the strategy foresees an increase in the number of programmes explicitly targeting structural change for gender equality. To deliver this mandate, the SDC’s expertise, technical knowhow and proactive advocacy is centered around the following strategic outcomes and focus areas:

• Peaceful coexistence and social cohesion between different population groups are enhanced; conflict and violence are reduced.
  Focus areas: Sustaining peace, conflict prevention / transformation; Fragile contexts (nexus); Human Rights; Culture and Peace.
• Accountability of public institutions is improved and citizens’ needs are responded to.
  Focus areas: Democratic governance; Decentralization and Local Governance; Anticorruption and Asset Recovery.
• Equal socio-economic and political participation of women and girls is enhanced; GBV and sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) are reduced.
  Focus areas: Women’s Economic Empowerment and Political Participation; Ending GBV; PSEAH.

Links

• Peace, Governance and Gender Equality – SDC Thematic Network

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