Member States have anchored and reaffirmed their commitment to gender equality in several normative frameworks. 1 Yet, too many women have not been able to benefit from progress made in meeting the MDGs. Their rights are often not respected and they are left voiceless, excluded from social protection, access to services and economic opportunities. Women and girls continue to face gender-based discrimination and violence as internationally agreed commitments on women’s rights and the empowerment of women are not met in many countries. The growing number and diversity of actors, approaches and flows in international development cooperation.
