Gender mainstreaming, employment and youth - Norway

In 2016, the Norwegian government presented a new Action Plan for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality in foreign and development Policy. The Action Plan gives priority to education for girls, women’s political and economic empowerment, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. In connection with the Action Plan, Norway is establishing a new gender equality for development programme called “LIKE”. Under this programme, Norway will provide expertise and promote cooperation in the field of gender equality, with a view to making aid in this area more effective.

As a donor, Norway expects the gender perspective to be an integral part of all cooperation activities. A gender-neutral programme would assume that men and women have the same priorities and opportunities. Gender-neutral approaches will sometimes reinforce existing discrimination or respond to male priorities.

Job creation and economic growth are vital for combating poverty. This is why business development and job creation are key areas in Norway’s development policy. Since 2013, the level of annual capital strengthening allocated to the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries (Norfund) has  increased by 21.4 %. The development budget for 2017 allocates NOK 1.5 billlion in capital strengthening to Norfund. Norway is also giving priority to vocational training in developing countries. The White Paper on business development and job creation, “Working together”, underlines the importance of using aid strategically and of mobilising the private sector.

If young people are to be able to participate fully in society, education is crucial. The Norwegian Government has put education at the top of its development agenda. In 2013, the allocation for aid for education was NOK 1.7 billion. It has since increased steadily, bringing the total up to NOK 3.4 billion in 2017.