Gender Equality

The challenge: We have seen significant reductions in global poverty since 1990, but not everyone has benefitted equally. Hundreds of millions of women and girls are still poor and remain disproportionately affected by poverty, including unequal access to resources, opportunities, and choices. According to UN women, not a single country in the world can claim to have achieved gender equality. Women and girls continue to face obstacles in law and culture which translate to a world where they are undervalued, work more, earn less, have fewer choices, and experience violence at home and in public.

Our solution: We strive towards a future where gender does not determine status, power to make decisions, or access to resources and services – a world where women, men, girls, and boys can all reach their full potential. We promote gender equality in all of our programs by engaging women and men, girls and boys, to address the underlying beliefs and practices that create and reinforce gender inequalities. We also empower the disadvantaged, whether male or female, to develop confidence and skills and take control over their lives, and invest in institutions and relationships that facilitate an environment that supports gender equality.

Spotlight on Yasmin Karim, Gender Advisor for Aga Khan Foundation, Pakistan

“Over my career, I have seen many gender advocates evolve and emerge. Society has also been transformed.”

Spotlight on Jennifer Elms, Gender Advisor at AKFC and AKF-US

“My hope would be that gender equality becomes so part of everybody’s DNA that integrating gender and using a gender lens will be a part of everyone.”

In their words: Gender equality and international development

We sat down with four gender advisors from across the AKDN to talk about their work and learn about development from their perspectives.

Spotlight on Nyambura Gathumbi, Regional Gender Advisor, AKF East Africa

My ultimate hope for the future is that we can transform the way we think, change our mindset around women, around girls, around gender issues.

Spotlight on Zohra Bano, Regional Gender Advisor for Aga Khan Foundation

“I have been working on projects that focus on auditing gender equality, economic empowerment, health, education, conflict resolution, resilience building, climate change, to name a few.”

Clean energy: Bringing equity to vulnerable communities

AKFC hosted a panel to discuss the role clean energy can play in bringing equity to vulnerable communities.

Foundations for Education and Empowerment (F4EE)

F4EE aims to improve educational systems at the pre-primary and primary levels.

The Adolescent Girls’ Education in Crisis Initiative (AGENCI) 

AGENCI is a project to empower adolescent girls and female youth pursuing an education in crisis-affected areas.

Foundations for Health and Empowerment (F4HE)

F4HE aims to improve the health and well-being and enhance equitable development and empowerment of women and girls.