UN Women Urges US$420B Annual Investment to Close Gender Gap

UN Women warned that developing countries face an estimated US$420 billion annual shortfall in funding needed to achieve gender equality under the Sustainable Development Goals. Speaking at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) the agency welcomed the adoption of the Compromiso de Sevilla, which reaffirms Member States’ commitment to inclusive and sustainable development and highlights the essential role of gender equality in global finance.

The organization stressed that financing for gender equality is crucial for building inclusive economies and supporting sustainable development. Governments and financial institutions are urged to move beyond promises and ensure targeted, consistent investment for women and girls, particularly in low-income countries where the need is greatest. UN Women emphasized that most global financing bypasses the poorest countries, leaving low-income women underserved and slowing progress on human development and social inclusion.

Despite increased use of gender-responsive budgeting, only one in four countries tracks how public funds are allocated to gender equality, making it difficult to plan and implement national development goals. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Deputy Executive Director, UN Women, said governments must back commitments with real investment, track spending, and ensure that gender equality is central to public policy.

UN Women recommended expanding gender-responsive budgeting to align national priorities with gender equality goals, strengthening institutions, and monitoring allocations to guarantee lasting impact. The organization also called for debt relief, fairer financing rules, and gender-responsive tax reform to generate revenues for essential public services such as health, education, and care. Public spending should be rebalanced to support long-term human development objectives, including gender equality, peacebuilding, and inclusive social development.

Investing in public care systems, including childcare and eldercare, is critical to enable women’s full participation in the workforce, reduce poverty, and create jobs. UN Women warned that continued underinvestment hinders progress on women’s rights, empowerment, and international development commitments, including the Beijing Platform for Action. The agency urged world leaders to match political commitments with sustained, transparent, and accountable financing to close the US$420 billion gap and deliver on promises to half the world’s population.