The Gender and Development Programme is a core strategic programme of the Initiative for Gender Equality and Development in Africa (IGED-Africa) dedicated to advancing gender equality and promoting inclusive, sustainable development across Africa.
The programme recognizes that gender inequality remains one of the most significant barriers to social justice, economic growth, poverty reduction, and human development. Across the continent, women, girls, and other marginalized groups continue to face disparities in education, healthcare, economic participation, political representation, access to resources, and decision-making power.
These inequalities are reinforced by harmful social norms, discriminatory laws, gender-based violence, unequal access to opportunities, and limited representation in spaces where decisions are made. As a result, development outcomes are weakened, communities remain vulnerable, and the full potential of women and girls is left unrealized.
Through the Gender and Development Programme, IGED-Africa works to address the systemic barriers that limit participation, opportunities, and rights. The programme supports gender-responsive policies and practices, strengthens women’s leadership, challenges harmful gender norms, and promotes the integration of gender perspectives into development planning and implementation.
IGED-Africa’s approach is holistic and transformative. It connects gender equality to broader development priorities, including governance, economic empowerment, education, health, environmental sustainability, and community development. The programme works with governments, civil society organizations, development partners, the private sector, traditional institutions, and local communities to promote policies and practices that contribute to fairer and more inclusive societies.
A central goal of the programme is to strengthen the social, economic, political, and legal status of women and girls while addressing the barriers that perpetuate gender inequality. This includes increasing women’s participation and influence in decision-making processes at community, national, and regional levels.
The programme also supports institutions and organizations to mainstream gender in development policies, programmes, implementation processes, monitoring, and evaluation. By doing so, it helps ensure that development initiatives are responsive to the needs, rights, and priorities of all genders, especially marginalized and vulnerable populations.
At its core, the Gender and Development Programme affirms that gender equality is not separate from development. It is a foundation for sustainable progress, social justice, and inclusive growth. Through this work, IGED-Africa continues to support an Africa where women, girls, and marginalized communities can participate fully, access opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to development.
