Patricio Scaff
Principal Executive, Global Partnerships. CAF- Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Gender equality is not only an ethical imperative but also a key driver of economic growth, poverty reduction, and the creation of more just and inclusive societies. Sustainable development is only possible when the women and girls in our region—who make up more than half of the population—are central to these transformations. In this regard, strategic collaboration among various institutions is essential to catalyzing significant progress in improving the quality of life for women and the entire population of Latin America and the Caribbean.
2025: A Key Year for Gender Equality
The year 2025 marks important milestones in the fight for gender equality. It commemorates the 50th anniversary of the First World Conference on Women held in Mexico City in 1975, the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Beijing+30), and the 30th anniversary of the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence Against Women, known as the Belém do Pará Convention. These milestones have been crucial for the global agenda on gender equality and women's empowerment, prompting reflection on achievements, pending challenges, and the importance of continuing to build partnerships to advance in this area.
Beijing and Belém do Pará: A Push for Joint Action
The Beijing Platform for Action, adopted in 1995, remains the most comprehensive roadmap for advancing women's rights in all spheres. Meanwhile, the Belém do Pará Convention was the first international treaty to establish that violence against women is a serious human rights violation, committing states to ensuring a life free of violence for women.
In this context, international organizations like CAF support the efforts and agreements made by the countries that have signed these commitments. Since 2022, CAF has implemented a Gender Strategy focused on empowering women and girls through three key pillars:
- Economic Autonomy: Facilitating access to financial resources, essential services, quality employment opportunities, caregiving systems, and climate change mitigation strategies.
- Physical Autonomy: Strengthening the fight against gender-based violence, femicide, and adolescent pregnancy.
- Autonomy in Decision-Making: Promoting female leadership and participation in decision-making spaces.
Partnerships and Sustainable Finance to Accelerate Transformations
Green, social, and sustainability bonds have become key instruments for mobilizing capital towards projects that promote gender equality and sustainable development. Through its Sustainable Finance Framework, CAF reinforces its role in issuing these instruments and promoting financial innovation in the region. The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) represents a unique opportunity to accelerate resource mobilization for the diverse development agendas of our countries.
To achieve this, it is essential to strengthen strategic partnerships at the regional level, listen to the priorities of each country, and tailor support to their specific needs. Through innovative financing mechanisms, the removal of barriers limiting women's potential, and coordinated action with all relevant stakeholders—including the private sector—development banks play a crucial role in building a more equitable, inclusive, and prosperous future for all women and girls in Latin America and the Caribbean.
CAF at #CSW69
The 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in 2025 will be a key space to evaluate progress and challenges 30 years after the Beijing Conference. CAF will actively participate in forums and strategic events to strengthen collaboration and promote concrete initiatives. Some key activities include:
- Central America 30 Years After Beijing: A high-level event with the Ministry of Women of the Dominican Republic, Central American countries, and COMMCA to share experiences and strategies in key areas such as health, economy, and political participation.
- Celebration of the Belém do Pará Convention and Beijing+30: A dialogue space with states, civil society, and multilateral organizations on progress and challenges in the fight against gender-based violence, featuring special participation from Michelle Bachelet.
- Women’s Leadership and Strategic Partnerships: A panel organized with Americas Society/Council of the Americas S/COA and the Government of Costa Rica to strengthen women's participation in decision-making and foster partnerships with the private sector and civil society.
- Beijing+30 and the Rural Women’s Agenda: An event in collaboration with the Ministry of Women of Panama, the CIM/OAS, and UN Women omen to address the needs of rural women within the gender equality agenda.
- Socioeconomic Consequences of Early Pregnancy in Latin America and the Caribbean: CAF -banco de desarrollo de América Latina y el Caribe- , alongside United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Panama, and other partners, will present evidence on the economic impact of adolescent pregnancy and promote innovative financing solutions to address this issue.
Additionally, we will participate in a roundtable on Resource Mobilization and Innovative Financing, organized by the Fundación EU-LAC / EU-LAC Foundation, UNDP , UN Women, and civil society organizations, to analyze innovative financial mechanisms, such as thematic bonds and sustainability-linked bonds.
Find out more about these activities on our microsite: CAF at CSW69
