Belgium Development Cooperation considers gender equality a key focus area as well as a cross-cutting topic to be considered in all strategies, policies and actions. The Belgian Government’s work in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights is guided by three cooperation principles: A human-rights based approach; a global and positive approach to sexuality and reproduction; and health care for all. Within this framework, key areas of intervention are: integration of sexual and reproductive health care into general health care and Universal Health Coverage; combating sexual and gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and child, early and forced marriage; focusing on the needs and the meaningful participation of young people and adolescents, and addressing sexual and reproductive health and rights in emergencies, conflict situations and peace-building processes.
Specific areas of recent and current collaboration between Belgium and UNFPA include: family planning through the UNFPA Supplies Partnership, eliminating female genital mutilation via the dedicated UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programmeengagement for positive masculinities and gender equality in Palestine via the BraveMen project, and humanitarian action in Ukraine.