SDG Series – SDG 5 – Cooperatives Champion Gender Equality: Driving SDG 5 Through Action and Collaboration

The International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025 has kicked off under the banner “Cooperatives Build a Better World”. Our movement plays a vital role in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5): Gender Equality.

The newly published policy brief — Building a Better World Together: Cooperative Contributions to the SDGs – Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls — co-produced by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), COPAC and the regions, is a powerful reminder of this commitment. This is the first instalment in a series of SDG policy briefs to be released throughout the year.

Gender equality isn’t just a fundamental human right; the United Nations identifies it as a cornerstone for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. Yet, despite decades of commitments, including the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, progress remains uneven. Structural barriers, discrimination, and the unequal burden of care work continue to hinder the full participation of women and girls globally, including here in Europe.

The Cooperative Difference: A Model for Equality

The new policy brief powerfully articulates why the cooperative model is uniquely positioned to accelerate progress towards SDG 5. Our core principles – open membership, democratic member control, and economic participation – inherently challenge structural inequalities. Cooperatives provide platforms where women can:

• Gain Economic Independence: By pooling resources and sharing risks, cooperatives, particularly financial cooperatives, expand access to capital and build financial autonomy, especially crucial where traditional systems fail women.

• Develop Leadership Skills: Cooperatives offer pathways for women to gain skills, confidence, and leadership experience, even in traditionally male-dominated sectors.

• Access Decent Work: Many cooperatives champion safe, inclusive workplaces and implement gender-responsive policies like flexible working arrangements and childcare support, recognizing and valuing care responsibilities.

• Amplify Their Voices: Through collective action and democratic governance, cooperatives empower women to advocate for their rights, challenge discriminatory norms, and influence community and institutional settings.

   

European Action in Focus: The Resew Cooperative Example

A powerful example from our region in this global brief: the Resew Cooperative in Ukraine. Founded in 2016, this women-led initiative embodies the resilience and innovative spirit of European cooperatives in advancing gender equality and sustainability, even amidst profound adversity.

Resew promotes textile repair and upcycling, advocating for eco-friendly lifestyles while actively supporting queer and trans communities. Following the start of the war in 2022, Resew adapted remarkably, providing stable jobs for displaced women members by transforming military uniforms into everyday clothing – a blend of sustainability, resilience, and empowerment. Resew’s commitment extends beyond textiles; they actively foster cooperative education and champion labour rights, demonstrating the multi-faceted impact cooperatives can have. Their story, highlighted in the brief, showcases how cooperatives provide not just livelihoods, but also agency and community solidarity when it’s needed most. Find more about their cooperative on their Facebook page.

Moving Forward: Challenges and Collective Action

While celebrating successes like Resew, the brief rightly acknowledges persistent challenges, including policy gaps, socio-cultural norms, and a lack of comprehensive, sex-disaggregated data.

The International Cooperative Alliance echoes the brief’s call to action. We urge European governments and institutions to strengthen legislative frameworks, ensure gender-responsive policies, integrate cooperative education, and invest in women’s leadership within cooperatives. Financial institutions must provide tailored, accessible finance. Importantly, cooperative networks and federations across Europe, including our members, must continue embedding gender equality within their structures, promoting women’s leadership, and leveraging innovation – including digital tools – to enhance economic opportunities for women members.

As Xiomara Nuñez de Céspedes, Chair of the ICA’s Gender Equality Committee, noted for International Women’s Day, “When women enjoy equal opportunities, society as a whole benefits.” The IYC 2025 presents a unique moment to #AccelerateAction. Cooperatives Europe is committed to working with our members, partners, and policymakers across the continent to ensure the cooperative movement continues to be a powerful engine driving gender equality and building a truly better, more equitable world for all.

Download the full policy brief.

This article has been co-funded by the European Union. The contents of this article are the sole responsibility of  Cooperatives Europe and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.