A Vision for the 21st Century Gender equality contributes substantially to improving the well-being of women, men, girls and boys in our partner countries, which is at the heart of GFW's mission.

GFW's gender equality policy is one tool to make this vision a reality.

Our goal is to support the achievement of equality between women and men to ensure sustainable development.

The Objectives:

• To advance women's equal participation with men as decision-makers in shaping the sustainable development of their societies;
• To support women and girls in the realization of their full human rights;
• To reduce gender inequalities in access to and control over the resources and benefits of development.

Eight guiding principles:

1. Gender equality must be considered as an integral part of all GFW policies, programs and projects;
2. Achieving gender equality requires the recognition that every policy, program and project affects women and men differently;
3. Achieving gender equality does not mean that women become the same as men;
4. Women's empowerment is central to achieving gender equality;
5. Promoting the equal participation of women as agents of change in economic, social and political processes is essential to achieving gender equality;
6. Gender equality can only be achieved through partnership between women and men;
7. Achieving gender equality will require specific measures designed to eliminate gender inequalities;
8. GFW policies, programs, and projects should contribute to gender equality. Practical Tools Sample results, strategies, activities and guidelines are included to support the implementation of the policy.