'The paper argues that successful service delivery to poor people requires that clients have voice and influence in the process of service design and delivery. It presents methods - such as participatory planning and gender budgeting - to strengthen the voice of poor women, and help ensure that both women's and men's concerns and priorities are taken into account. But it also recognises that tools and training are not enough; if women's perspectives on poverty reduction priorities disappear once more...

'Studies have shown that a key factor associated with rural poverty is access to land. Yet in many parts of India there remains a huge gender gap in land ownership and control - with significant implications for women's economic and social status. This document traces the journey of the Working Group on Women and Land Ownership (WGWLO), a network of 23 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) based in Gujarat, India, which came together in 2003 to bring visibility to the issue of women and agricult more...

'2008 marks 15 years since the female condom was invented, and, disgracefully, 15 years of failing to make them accessible to the women who need them. Despite the absence of any other female-initated form of protection, and unprecedented rises in funding for the response to HIV, female condoms remain inaccessible, and their contribution remains untapped.

The urgent need for access to female condoms is evident in the feminisation of the HIV pandemic, the large unmet need for contraception more...

Abstract: 'More than 25 years into the epidemic, gender inequality remains one of the principal drivers behind the spread and impact of HIV and AIDS. It is therefore long past time for strategies and actions that are informed by and responsive to women’s rights and needs. Now is the time for: women’s full participation in all levels of the response; research by and about women; prevention strategies that work for women; universal access to care, treatment, and support; the integration of HIV more...

'The plight of women in Iraq today has gone largely ignored, both within Iraqi society and by the international community. For more than five years, headlines have been dominated by political and social turmoil, the chaos of conflict and widespread violence. This has overshadowed the abysmal state of the civilian population’s day-to-day lives, a result of that very turmoil and violence.

Behind the headlines, essential services have collapsed, families have been torn apart and women in parti more...

'Oxfam’s research suggests that as supply chains are squeezed by falling global demand, women in export manufacturing, garments and services are often first to be laid off, with employers leaving pay outstanding and evading legal obligations to give notice and pay compensation, with governments often turning a blind eye.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) predicts that the global economic crisis will plunge a further 22 million women into unemployment, make female unemployment high more...

'This document was produced by the DAC Network on Gender Equality and is intended to complement the existing DAC guidelines on gender equality. It takes the five principles of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness as entry points to make recommendations to donors and partner country governments in meeting their commitments to achieving gender equality and women's empowerment - and the overall goal of poverty reduction. The five Paris Declaration principles are: Ownership, Alignment, Harmoni more...

'This article explores the notion of 'troublesome' masculinities that characterise much of the policy thinking on problems of young men and gender. It notes that the socialisation of young men and the relationship between gender norms and young men's gender identity have become the focus of policy development in an increasing number of countries. While recognising that much effective work is being done with men and boys to promote alternative 'gender-equitable masculinities', the article reminds more...

'This case study describes a two-year pilot project to engage local churches in reflecting on gender issues in Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso. The programme worked with local faith-based organisations and took a 'whole-life' approach, discussing gender inequality and HIV within the wider context of relationships, life skills and Christian life. A variety of interventions were used, including workshops for couples to develop relationship and parenting skills, and training sessions to discuss issues wi more...

Program Brief from the Population Council in Ethiopia