Gender equality and women's empowerment - IFAD's work and results

IFAD is committed to gender equality. Women embody half the talent and energy at any country’s disposal. That’s why greater gender equality leads to higher economic growth and better lives.

We work with partners around the world to empower women and build gender equality in rural homes and villages, and at the national and international levels. Much progress has been made, but there is a long way still to go. No country in the world has achieved full gender equality and disparities in the rural areas of developing countries are often particularly acute.

IFAD’s Policy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment was approved by the Executive Board in 2012. It is central to the overall goal of IFAD’s Strategic Framework 2011-2015 – enabling poor rural women and men to improve their food security and nutrition, raise their incomes and strengthen their resilience.