Gender Equality Plan

Habitat for Humanity is committed to gender equality and sees it as fundamental for dignity, safety and a modern, inclusive society. Because gender roles are still shaped by social, historical, political and economic inequalities, we pay specific attention to keeping gender equality at the core of our work.

Still, women and girls around the world continue to face discrimination, including in the housing sector. Some patterns we see include:

• women having fewer chances to have land or housing registered in their name, even where laws allow it;
• women and girls being more affected when basic services (like safe water or sanitation) are missing;
• women being more exposed to housing-related risks (for example during crises or displacement) because of care roles and limited decision-making power;
• homes not always being safe spaces for women and girls, with gender-based violence often occurring within or around the household.

We design programs that place women and girls at the center. We invite them to co-create projects, strengthen their skills related to housing and the built environment, and ensure their voices are heard in community decision-making. We work with them as equal partners and support their leadership so that their perspectives are reflected in the decisions that affect their lives.

 This commitment also shapes how we work internally. Our Gender Equality Plan 2025-2026 sets out clear measures so that our policies, recruitment, communications and program cycle consistently promote gender equality across all areas of our work.