Strengthening equality, diversity and inclusion

28/11/2024

Groupe URD has launched an internal project to strengthen gender mainstreaming in its practices and work, eliminate inequalities and promote gender equality in the actions it undertakes, with the external support of a consultant specializing in these issues and support from Coordination sud's FRIO. The project will take 8 months to complete, and will involve various types of activity, leading to a clarification of our positioning, and an adaptation of our practices and tools.

Gender, diversity and inclusion issues in the humanitarian aid and international solidarity sector

In all societies, and particularly during crises (whether economic, social, climatic or political), gender inequalities and discrimination are exacerbated. Gender relations do not act alone, but in interaction with other mechanisms of domination, such as skin color, ethnic origin, social class, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and so on. An “intersectional” gender approach is therefore essential for implementing gender, diversity and inclusion approaches and practices, both at organizational level and in the interventions of the various stakeholders involved in humanitarian action.

For many years, governments and humanitarian actors have recognized the need to mainstream gender in humanitarian action. Today, there are numerous international commitments, policies and agreements aimed at achieving gender equality. These commitments have been made by states, NGOs, UN agencies and other international organizations. Many UN agencies and INGOs have adopted positions and guidelines for integrating gender and inclusion into their organizations and operations in the field.

In addition, Groupe URD’s contribution to critical thinking and analysis on the decolonization of humanitarian aid and development, and on the “localization of aid”, is essential for gender mainstreaming, diversity and inclusion. Recognizing relations of power and domination specific to the sector, becoming aware of colonial legacies, privileges and structural racism, and reflecting on intervention methods that deconstruct relations of power are all key issues in a gender, inclusion and diversity approach to the humanitarian and international solidarity sector.

Challenges linked to the support mission

Groupe URD’s mission is to support aid agencies through a range of six complementary activities designed to improve the quality of their interventions. The reduction of inequalities is one of the axes of its 2020-2025 strategic plan, and implies the formalization of a clear framework on these themes, even if the reduction of inequalities is at the heart of its interventions.

The aim of the project is therefore to support Groupe URD in strengthening the integration of gender, diversity and inclusion in its practices and work, and more specifically to :

Take stock of these issues, both in terms of interventions and internal practices.
Create a common culture around the issues of gender, diversity and inclusion by equipping teams with the knowledge, skills and practical tools to systematically integrate these issues into their analyses, expertise and activities.
Develop a positioning, an action framework and tools to systematically and formally integrate gender, diversity and inclusion.

For this project, Groupe URD is supported by Bénédicte de la Taille, a consultant and trainer in gender equality and the fight against sexist and sexual violence, and by Coordination sud’s FRIO mechanism.