Gender Integration in the Program Cycle

USAID Operating Units should take intentional action throughout the entirety of the Program Cycle to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment, consistent with legal requirements and with USAID’s Gender Equality Policy.

USAID Operating Units must take intentional action to integrate approaches to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment throughout USAID’s Program Cycle, including gender analysis; operational procedures; monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL); and strategy or policy development. 

Spotlight on ADS 201

In 2009, USAID issued a version of ADS 201: Program Cycle Operational Policy establishing a more comprehensive approach to gender integration. ADS 201 describes the Agency’s operational model for planning, delivering, assessing, and adapting development programming in a given region or country to advance U.S. foreign policy.

Source: USAID

Spotlight on ADS 205

In 2012, USAID issued ADS 205: Integrating Gender Equality and Female Empowerment in USAID’s Program Cycle. ADS 205 lays out detailed requirements for integrating gender across USAID’s program cycle.

Source: USAID