UNIFEM funds threatened as Dutch propose "gender mainstreaming" to replace Women's Programs in the UN or at the National Level

The Dutch government has taken the decision to eliminate their funding for UNIFEM next year.

Currently the Dutch funding represents 20% of the UNIFEM's core budget. What does this mean for UNIFEM? The loss of these funds could lead to cutbacks in all regions and programs, and up to a 50% cut of UNIFEM funding in the African region alone. It appears that the Dutch government decided to prioritise support for "gender mainstreaming" over support for women-specific programs, on the basis that women's agencies have not been successful in mainstreaming gender equality. This also marks a dangerous trend for women's NGOs who depend on donor dollars.