"International cooperation with a focus on equal opportunities for all."

Why do you think gender equality is essential within international cooperation programmes?

"Before joining RVO, I lived and worked for 15 years in various countries, including Myanmar, South Sudan, Sudan, Ghana and Kenya. Both in urban areas and in remote regions. There, I saw firsthand that women are often unable to do what they want to do themselves. This is partly due to expectations and roles imposed by the community. 

But gender equality is actually positive for both women and the community. I have a clear example of this from my time in Kenya. My team and I were working to reduce malnutrition among young children.To achieve this, we focused on promoting a more equal division of household tasks and on fostering greater cooperation between men and women. This led to higher household incomes and healthier children.

It is not easy, because cultural norms are deeply rooted. When a man fetches water for his family, he may be looked at strangely. Or when a man and woman make decisions together, the man may be seen as 'less masculine'. We need to be aware of this. To achieve equality, we must first understand the barriers that exist. Only then can we take concrete action to overcome them."

How is gender equality reflected in the programmes run by your team?

"Gender equality means that everyone has the same rights and opportunities and that everyone receives the same treatment, regardless of gender. It concerns equal access to education, work, income and decision-making. In our programmes, we actively work to create equal opportunities for women and men, in both public and private initiatives.

One example is a company in Bangladesh that connects students with mentors. Initially, most of these mentors were men from urban areas. By recruitment through women's networks and organisations in rural areas, the number of female mentors increased. Diversity also improved in management and sales roles, which men had previously dominated. This led to positive feedback from customers. RVO played a supporting role by providing the company with gender-sensitive training, which helped management become more aware of gender dynamics and take concrete steps towards greater inclusivity."

What results are you proud of?

"I am proud of the way in which we address the obstacles that women face across different programmes. 2 good examples are:

• Orange Corners in Sudan: Through its implementing partner 249 Startups, Orange Corners supports the EmpowerHer initiative. EmpowerHer receives funding from RVO and offers female entrepreneurs 3 to 5 targeted training sessions to develop essential business skills and strengthen their market position. This contributes to greater participation of women in entrepreneurship and economic activities, enabling them to play a more active role in the local market and economy.
• Public cooperation with governments: We work together with governments to support female judges in the Middle East. They take part in training sessions, workshops and visits to other organisations. This helps them carrying out their work more effectively and expanding their knowledge and networks. As a result of this work, other women in the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) also gain better access to fair justice.

In short, if you want men and women to have the same opportunities, you must first understand the obstacles they face and then take concrete measures to address them."