Fund for Gender Justice: Promoting Gender and Climate Justice

Background information

Worldwide, at least one in three women has experienced violence, and a large proportion of them have experienced sexual violence. Structural inequalities hinder political participation and access to education, income, and health care. In many countries where our partners are working to promote gender equality, partial successes are often undone by backlash.

For Mission 21, gender justice is a guiding principle for all programs and projects. Mission 21 maintains a global women’s and gender network. In 2026, the Fund for Gender Justice will expand its efforts to prevent sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and promote climate justice. Climate change exacerbates risk factors for sexual violence: poverty, economic dependence, illness, and others. The projects offer comprehensive solutions for affected communities, particularly for women, and promote their safety, economic independence, and opportunities to advocate for climate justice. In addition, special attention is given to reaching girls who are particularly vulnerable due to disability.

Objectives of the Gender Equality Fund

• In addition, the cooperation programs respond to social developments that can reinforce gender inequality.
• Funding of innovative pilot projects with new approaches, new partners or new topics that have the proven potential to strengthen the activities of the cooperation programs for gender equality in the long term
• Promotion of exchange between the project managers of the pilot projects and the cooperation programs
  

Insights into Pilot Projects 2026

Youth Ecology and Justice Camp Organized by the Evangelical Church Federation in Indonesia

The Youth Department of the Protestant Church Alliance in Indonesia (Persekutuan Gerejagereja di Indonesia, PGI) addresses environmental degradation and gender inequalities, with a focus on young people. The focus is on young women and girls, with and without disabilities, from rural areas. They are often excluded from leadership roles and decision-making processes regarding climate protection measures. The PGI is organizing a participatory youth camp where young people advocate for climate and gender justice through digital advocacy, arts-based learning, and political dialogue.

Building Skills for Women and Girls with Disabilities in Tanzania

The project run by our partner organization FUWAVITA operates at the intersection of climate justice, gender equality, and the rights of people with disabilities. The goal is to empower women and girls as rights-holders and agents of climate resilience and to strengthen their visibility, voice, and participation in the decision-making processes that affect their lives and their environment.

Women and girls with various disabilities (such as hearing and visual impairments or mobility limitations) are involved as active participants in climate action. This participatory approach builds on their experiences and includes accessible training on adapting to the impacts of climate change, preventing violence, advocating for rights and interests, and promoting sustainable livelihoods—such as through climate-friendly food processing.