Social progress

Social progress is needed if people are ever to fight their way out of poverty and practise their rights in society. Today, many poor people have obtained access to health, education, water and sanitation, but there is still much to be done in many countries. Denmark will therefore place allocation and rights in social sectors higher on the agenda in Danish development cooperation, with special focus on women and gender equality.

Denmark will:

• Place allocation and rights in social sectors higher on the agenda in multilateral forums and in the political dialogue with developing countries.
• Support civil society’s ability to hold governments accountable for social goals and commitments.
• Ensure transparency, accountability and citizens’ involvement in decisions on and monitoring of social services.
• Be at the forefront of international efforts to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights and in the fight against hiv/aids.
• To an increasing extent support social sectors through budget support and multilateral initiatives.
• Strengthen efforts for social protection, especially for poor and vulnerable groups.

Denmark will work to ensure that governments in our priority countries gradually become able to grant all citizens access to the highest possible standard in education and health services. We will to a higher degree contribute to the development in social sectors through targeted multilateral initiatives and through the use of general and sector budget support. Through an increased use of budget support, Denmark can contribute to the implementation of development strategies and national priorities devised by developing countries themselves, including the social sectors.

The right to sexual and reproductive health is key to women’s ability to take charge of their own life and choose when and how many children to have. Denmark will be at the forefront of international efforts to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights and continue the active Danish efforts in the fight against hiv/aids.

In dialogue with governments in our priority countries Denmark will stress the importance of targeted, efficient and financial sustainable social safety nets and more integrated national social and welfare policies.