At the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Sevilla, Hivos co-hosted a powerful side event titled “Financing for Development and Gender Equality: A Feminist Agenda for Action for Sevilla and Beyond.” The session brought together ministers, feminist activists, and development partners from across the globe. While the overall outcomes of the conference left much to be desired, this gathering reaffirmed that there is still strong political leadership and commitment to financing gender equality.
A global stand against backlash
In an increasingly hostile environment for gender rights, the voices at our event stood firm. Countries like Iceland, Norway, Brazil, Malawi, France, Spain, and the Netherlands demonstrated their readiness to step up and defend gender equality against rising anti-rights movements.
Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, emphasized the need to stay adaptable in the face of growing resistance to gender justice. “We are in difficult times for building resilience and facing a global response to gender pushback. We must adapt our approach continually,” she said. “Anti-rights movements targeting women and girls are completely unacceptable. Iceland remains a constructive partner to the women and girls’ movement and continues to push the gender agenda forward. Let’s fight for a better future for all girls and all women around the world.”
Norway’s Minister for International Development, Åsmund Grøver Aukrust, echoed this sense of urgency. “We are facing backlash from diverse groups. It is time for the rest of us to really step up. UN agencies, civil society, and countries across the global South and Europe must work together to build stronger futures for women and girls.”
A feminist agenda for action
This side event was not just a space for dialogue—it was a platform for action. Hivos and its partners presented a set of 12 Calls to Action for Resourcing Gender Equality. This framework offers a coordinated, feminist response to the pressing need for sustainable and transformative financing solutions.
These calls to action emphasize the importance of inclusive decision-making, investment in care systems, and dedicated funding for feminist movements and sexual and reproductive health and rights. The message is clear: resourcing gender equality is not an add-on—it is central to sustainable development.
Collaboration for change
The event was co-organized with support from International Planned Parenthood Federation, Countdown 2030 Europe, the Generation Equality Action Coalitions on Feminist Movements and Leadership, and on Bodily Autonomy and SRHR. We were honored to welcome speakers and contributors from UN Women, the Governments of France, Malawi, Brazil, and Spain, as well as voices from key civil society organizations and foundations.
This collaboration shows that despite political setbacks, there is still strong momentum behind feminist financing. What we need now is bold, coordinated action to meet this moment and ensure that resources flow to where they are most needed.
It is important to have continued engagement and connecting FFD4 commitments to other global agendas and upcoming processes. The Financing for Feminist Futures Conference, organized by Walking the Talk, is an opportunity to maintain momentum and strategize for a fairer international financial system and increased funding for gender equality and women’s rights organizations. The conference will take place from October 8-10 in Madrid.
About Walking the Talk
The Walking the Talk program wants to boost the adoption and implementation of Feminist Foreign Policies (FFPs) and gender equality in France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the European Union. To achieve this, the program aims to increase Official Development Assistance (ODA) dedicated to gender equality and women’s rights, especially funding for progressive, intersectional feminist organizations in the Global South.
