Government of Germany

Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development

Being a SheDecides Champion means to me, realising a feminist approach and striving towards a more just world in which all people, irrespective of their sex, gender, origin, skin colour or social status, are able to decide over their bodies. It means standing up for women’s and girls’ rights, and realising equal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. It also includes advocating for the most vulnerable and ensuring that no one is left behind in the realisation of the fundamental right to health and self-determination.

Why is bodily autonomy a priority for the Ministry?

The right to decide over one’s own body is at the very heart of Germany’s feminist development policy. Bodily autonomy is a human right. Yet, its benefits reach far beyond the health sector. When sexual and reproductive health and rights are realised, women and girls have a fair chance at living healthy, fulfilling lives and tap their full potential. That in turn increases their chances to participate equally in social and economic life and contribute to a demographic dividend.

How we are working so SheDecides

Empowering women and girls to make free and informed decisions about their health and lives is a central pillar of Germany’s global health policy. Germany is therefore committed at the bilateral and multilateral level to improve access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. Furthermore, on the international stage, Germany coordinates with likeminded states and partners from civil society to ensure that women, girls and other marginalised groups can realise their rights.

Initiative on Rights-based Family Planning and Reproductive Health for All

As part of the Initiative on Rights-based Family Planning and Reproductive Health for All, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) supports various projects on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in more than 20 partner countries. Embedded in a rights-based approach and working towards strengthening health systems overall, these projects aim to advance SRHR effectively and sustainably. Key activities include building capacities of the health workforce, fostering multisectoral cooperation, supporting the implementation of national strategies and raising awareness in communities.

Germany’s Feminist Development Policy

Women and girls in all their diversity are key agents of change for socially, economically, and ecologically sustainable development and a lasting peace. The German government is a strong advocate for equal participation for all in social, political and economic life – regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, skin colour, disability or other traits. Acting in this spirit, Germany is pursuing a feminist development policy. Gender-transformative approaches and the realisation of sexual and reproductive health and rights are at the centre of the feminist development policy.

Partnership with Multilateral Organisations

Germany engages at the multilateral level to strengthen global health and to promote gender equality in line with the feminist development policy. In this context, Germany closely cooperates with UNFPA and its programmes, specifically the UNFPA Supplies Partnership and the Maternal and Newborn Health Fund. Germany also supports the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF), a country-led partnership focused on investing in women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health and rights.

WHENSHE DECIDES