Exploring Strategies for Gender-Inclusive Governance in Democratic Transitions

Current global trends in conflict and democratic backsliding make one thing very clear: we need to do things differently. Is the answer advancing gender-inclusive democracy by empowering women, girls, and gender-diverse leaders in times of transition? Research suggests that yes, diverse women leaders make vital contributions to peace and stability in post-transition democracies. 

While peacebuilding and democratic transition processes are often viewed separately, and often programmed separately by donors (including by USAID), they in fact occur in parallel and are mutually reinforcing. The 2023 WPS Strategy brings together the two and recognizes the critical role that women’s inclusion plays in U.S. national security strategy and USAID’s democracy, human rights, and governance (DRG) work around the world. Echoing this, USAID’s 2023 Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy (Gender Policy) emphasizes the importance of supporting democratic governance through advancing gender equality. And if the WPS Strategy and USAID’s Gender Policy are not enough to convince you, maybe this month’s edition of the Learning Digest will! 

This edition of the DRG Learning Digest examines the following topics:

  • Women’s Participation in Transition Processes is Critical to Sustained, Peaceful Post-Transition Democracies 
  • The Power of Participation: Gender-Inclusive Transition Processes Lead to Increased Degrees of Gender Equality in Post-Transition Governing Bodies and Systems 
  • From Transition to Transformation: Transitions Present Opportunities for Transforming Pre-Transition Levels of Gender Inequality 
  • So Now What? Strategies to Advance Gender-Inclusive Transition in Peace and Democracy Programming 
Source Website: Browse the February 2024 DRG Learning Digest