The G7 and Democracy, Gender Equality & Democratic Governance
Gender equality and democracy are deeply interconnected. Gender equality is both a consequence of greater democracy and a force that contributes to increased democratisation. But today, the foundations of both are under increasing pressure. Rising economic inequality, political and societal polarisation, shrinking civic space, online and offline violence, and ongoing conflict are all undermining democratic systems and rolling back hard-won rights — especially for women, girls, and LGBTQI+ people, who are often among the first targets of anti-rights movements.
This background paper was commissioned by the Women7 (W7) to support their influence ahead of the 2025 G7 Summit in Canada. It was used to inform the W7 Policy Brief on Democracy – ‘A G7 Agenda for Democracy and Equality Amid Global Challenges‘, as well as the 2025 W7 Communiqué. It explores the relationship between gender equality and democracy through three lenses:
- A review of existing G7 commitments and communiqués
- Insights from feminist literature and civil society
- Concrete policy recommendations for G7 leaders
The paper offers compelling evidence of the mutual reinforcement between gender equality and democracy — showing that one cannot advance without the other. At the same time, it outlines the serious threats currently facing both, and the urgent need for action.
To inform our recommendations, we explore six critical areas where gender and democracy intersect, highlighting real-world examples of progress and what it will take to scale success. The result is a set of six clear, actionable recommendations for G7 countries, including:
- Reinforcing shared democratic values and rights through global frameworks
- Agreeing on a joint strategy to counter “rights rollbacks” and protect civic space
- Increasing G7 funding for gender equality and women’s rights movements
- Promoting women’s leadership and political participation globally
- Deepening support for the Women, Peace & Security agenda
- Advancing Feminist Foreign Policies and strengthening accountability for G7 gender commitments
This paper makes the case that gender equality is not a side issue — it’s fundamental to the health of our democracies. It’s a call to action for G7 leaders to act on that understanding with urgency and ambition.
