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.

Aswan Skills Development Program (ASDP)

The Aswan Skills Development Program aims to improve livelihoods and economic opportunities for youth in Egypt.

Access to Quality Care through Extending and Strengthening Health Systems (AQCESS)

AQCESS is improving the health of mothers, pregnant women, newborns, and children in Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, and Pakistan.

Afghanistan Women’s Empowerment Program (AWEP)

Duration: 2016-2020 Location: Afghanistan Reach: 235,100 people (213,050 women; 22,050 men) Budget: $12 million (Global Affairs Canada: $10.5 million; AKFC: $1.5 million) Description:

Pathways to Innovation: Strengthening Mathematics, Science, and Economic Policy Capacity in Afghanistan and Central Asia (P2I)

Duration: 2017-2020 Location: Afghanistan, Tajikistan Reach: 51,175 people Budget:  $2.2 million (International Development Research Centre: $1.5 million; AKFC: $500,000; Ministry of

Improving Access to Reproductive, Maternal and Newborn Health in Mwanza, Tanzania (IMPACT)

IMPACT is accelerating the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Integrated Newborn Care Kit (iNCK)

Duration: 2018-2024 Location: Afghanistan, Pakistan Reach: 37,000 pregnant women Budget:$2.179 million (Grand Challenges Canada: $1.1 million; AKFC: $1 million; Other: 79K)

Scaling Up Affordable, Quality, and Contextually Relevant Preschool Provision in Kenya (MECP)

Duration: 2018-2021 Location: Kenya Reach: 10,000 children aged 4 to 6 (5,000 girls and 5,000 boys) Budget: $2 million (Grand Challenges

Assessment of Different Implementation Models of Health and Health-related Sustainable Development Goals (IM-SDG)

Duration: 2018-2019 Location: Global Reach: This is a research project with no direct beneficiaries. Budget: $560,000 (International Development Research Centre: $280,000;

Strengthening Partnerships to Advance Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Women and Adolescents in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique (SPARC)

SPARC aims to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of some of the most vulnerable women and adolescent girls in Cabo Delgado.