Two women and a man sit at a table, each holding some index cards.

Cooperating in diversity – every day

For GIZ, diversity is not just a ‘nice to have’, but a requirement for values-based and effective cooperation. Gender equality is therefore also key to shaping a future worth living. But what does this mean exactly?

Diversity is more than just a buzzword. It is underpinned by an ethos. It stands for equal opportunities for all, regardless of ethnic and social origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or religion. Accepting all people for who they are, valuing differences and preventing discrimination.

Embracing diversity means respecting everyone’s uniqueness and breaking down barriers. GIZ views this as its responsibility and its strength.

Diversity is a decisive factor in businesses’ success. Different talents and perspectives result in good decisions. People of different ages, with diverse cultural and social backgrounds, experience and mindsets develop creative ideas and innovative solutions.

So for GIZ, diversity is not just a ‘nice to have’. It is a strategic requirement for effective, fair and values-based cooperation – both internally and worldwide.

To underline this claim, GIZ has signed the German Diversity Charter. Under this initiative, businesses and organisations commit voluntarily to promoting diversity and creating a non-discriminatory working environment.

Grafik: Verschiedene Personen, davon eine im Rollstuhl. Sprechblasen mit unterschiedlichen Schriftzeichen erscheinen nach und nach.

													152
								
– GIZ staff come from this number of different nations.

Foto: Ein Mann mit Anzug und Krawatte steht zwischen zwei elegant gekleideten Frauen. — Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, Anna Sophie Herken

GIZ Management Board
Image: © GIZ / Gaby Gerster

GIZ pursues a holistic approach that recognises all seven dimensions of human diversity: age, ethnic background and nationality, gender and gender identity, physical and mental abilities, religion and worldview, sexual orientation and social background. We consider these dimensions in relation to one another.

We have taken a number of measures to implement the German Diversity Charter. They range from mandatory anti-discrimination training for managers to a human resources policy geared towards the phases of staff members’ lives. Our motto is zero tolerance towards any form of discrimination. We believe in acceptance, trust and a culture of open dialogue.

Abstrakte Grafik mit überlappenden gelben, orangen und grünen Formen, die dynamische Bewegung und Tiefe erzeugen

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Gender as a component of diversity

Creating equal opportunities regardless of gender, gender identity or sexual orientation is instrumental in promoting diversity. Because we take this aspiration seriously, we adopted the first company-wide Gender Strategy as early as 2011, shortly after GIZ was established. This will guide us in the company and in our project work through to 2029.

The Gender Strategy sets out a vision and is binding for the entire organisation. It provides guidance for us and our partners. Our goal is to work together to promote gender equality and equal opportunities at GIZ and around the world.

To this end, we have defined three strategic areas.

We tackle the structural root causes of gender-based discrimination.
We work with change agents from the state sector and civil society.
And we enhance the ability of our organisation to achieve greater gender equality.

3 questions for Martha Gutiérrez

‘Equality is the key to a more just future’

Martha Gutiérrez

Gender Ambassador at GIZ

Image: © GIZ

Martha Gutiérrez has been GIZ’s Gender Ambassador since 2023. In this interview, she explains why gender enhances GIZ’s work.

Why is gender an important issue for GIZ?

Equality is the key to a better and more just future. That is a proven fact. Societies are more peaceful and economically stronger if everyone has access to rights, resources and representation. Just imagine: gross domestic product per capita would be almost 20% higher on average over the long term if the gender gap in labour market participation in all countries were closed! Diverse teams also work more effectively. As an integral component of diversity, gender is therefore a key issue at GIZ – in project work and in our joint action within the company.

What are the challenges?

Anti-gender movements are gaining influence worldwide and are attempting to roll back progress that has previously been made. We are facing this headwind with determination and a clear stance, which is also reflected in our Gender Strategy. The approach we adopt is context-sensitive in nature. We therefore look at how we can be effective – which partners we need, and even which terminology. If we hit a wall with one approach, we find a different way to tackle the issue. But no matter how flexible we are, the goal is always clear – to advance equality on a sustainable basis.

What else is required? What are the next steps?

We have already achieved a great deal as a company: over 60% of our staff with German employment contracts are women. There is almost a perfect balance in the proportion of leadership positions held by men and women. Our aim is to create a corporate culture that promotes equal opportunities, in which everyone can work free of prejudice and discrimination. We still have some ground to make up here, which makes it all the more important for us to adopt a clear stance both internally and externally and to send a clear message: we stand for diversity and equality – and remain a reliable and steadfast partner in the process.

Implementation is crucial

The Strategy makes gender a lived reality in all of GIZ’s units and across all levels of its hierarchy. A global network of focal points translates this into reality at local level.

Women make up 49.1% of the company’s managers. This is an area where we have almost achieved parity. Two thirds of the Management Board are women. We are also well on track in terms of delivering the Gender Strategy, with the departments and corporate units having reported more than 160 activities relating to the implementation of key measures.

Strengthening women’s rights

The overall picture at project level is also positive. The vast majority of the new commission volume in 2025 was channelled into projects promoting equality and the rights of girls and women. In its project work, GIZ actively challenges discriminatory gender norms and imbalances of power – with the aim of bringing about structural and lasting change. Examples of this can be seen around the world, from India and Peru to the Western Balkans (see project case studies below).

Diversity as corporate culture

We set the same standard for ourselves. With a clear stance, strategic focus and a corporate culture that combines respect, openness and equal opportunities, we work continuously to achieve diversity and equality. This helps us to create a working environment in which all staff can harness their potential and apply their skills effectively.

Grafik: Vier verschiedene Frauen, davon eine mit petrolfarbenen Haaren, eine mit blauem Kopftuch

													93 %
								
of new commissions in 2025 were related in some way to gender equality.

Gender in practice

Three women in work clothes walk along a street carrying a full refuse bag. — **India: empowering women in the informal waste management sector**
Women make up 57% of the workforce in India’s informal waste management sector, yet they are paid around a third less on average than their male colleagues. In the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, GIZ works on behalf of the German Environment Ministry to support women by providing training courses and facilitating their access to digital platforms. This makes their work more visible and gives them a greater say in local committees. The impact is tangible: greater visibility, more rights – and for many women a higher income, too. Some participants have seen their income double.
© GIZ

Two persons are working together at a table, labelling water bottles. — **Western Balkans: take everyone into account, leave no one behind**
Social services often fail to reach everyone in equal measure, with women, people with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups frequently not benefitting sufficiently. GIZ is supporting municipalities in four Western Balkan states in order to change this. A project is working to analyse local needs and adapt the existing range of services accordingly. Among other things, the measures are creating day care centres for children with disabilities and mobile social teams for remote regions.
© GIZ / Poraka Nasha Centre

Several people sitting in a room face the front and listen. — **African Union: know your rights, show your strength**
In many African countries, traditional role models and discriminatory norms severely restrict women’s participation in economic and political life. In Nairobi, a programme run by the African Union with the support of GIZ is tackling precisely this issue and challenging discriminatory norms and role models. In four informal settlements, women are informed of theirs rights and empowered. More than 3,000 women have already taken part in training courses and awareness-raising initiatives. In addition, 30 women-owned enterprises have received support in the form of mentorship and networking. Today, more than 40 women are leading independent initiatives in their communities and playing an active role in shaping them.
© GIZ / Badili Africa

Two people stand on a stage with the German and Peruvian flags and hold a certificate. — **Peru: power without abuse**
Sexual corruption, defined as sexual acts performed in exchange for decisions or services, exists in Peru, as elsewhere. GIZ supports the country’s Secretariat of Public Integrity in curbing this practice. The Secretariat has strengthened complaints bodies and incorporated a gender clause into the National Integrity and Anti-Corruption Policy. In 11 workshops, 230 public servants and 50 leading figures of civil society organisations have undergone further training on this topic, making Peru a leader in the fight against sexual corruption.
© GIZ / DGC: Sabino Flores Medina

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GIZ Gender strategy 2025-2029

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