Gender equality and female empowerment are fundamental to the realization of human rights and key to effective and sustainable development outcomes. Building on the Agency's decades of experience, the new Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy provides guidance on pursuing more effective, evidence-based investments in gender equality and female empowerment and incorporating these efforts in our core development programming.

In order to achieve this goal, USAID investments are aimed at three overarching outcomes:

• Reduce gender disparities in access to, control over and benefit from resources, wealth, opportunities and services - economic, social, political, and cultural;
• Reduce gender-based violence and mitigate its harmful effects on individuals; and
• Increase the capability of women and girls to realize their rights, determine their life outcomes, and influence decision-making in households, communities, and societies.