A Vision for the 21st Century Gender equality contributes substantially to improving the well-being of women,men, girls and boys in our partner
countries, which is at the heart of CIDA's mission.
Although important progress has been made in recent years toward achieving gender equality, much remains to be done. Entering the 21st century, CIDA remains committed to creating, with our partners, a
better world for all - a world where inequality on any grounds, be it gender,
class, race or ethnicity, is finally overcome. CIDA's gender equality policy is one tool to make this vision a reality.

The Goal

To support the achievement of equality between women and men to ensure
sustainable development.

The Objectives

 To advance women's equal participation with men as decision-makers in shaping the sustainable development of their societies;
 To support women and girls in the realization of their full human rights;
 To reduce gender inequalities in access to and control over the resources and benefits of development.

Guiding Principles
Eight guiding principles:

 Gender equality must be considered as an integral part of all CIDA policies, programs and projects;
 Achieving gender equality requires the recognition that every policy, program and project affects women and men differently;
 Achieving gender equality does not mean that women become the same as men;
 Women's empowerment is central to achieving gender equality;
 Promoting the equal participation of women as agents of change in economic, social and political processes is essential to achieving gender equality;
 Gender equality can only be achieved through partnership between women and men;
 Achieving gender equality will require specific measures designed to eliminate gender inequalities; and
 CIDA policies, programs, and projects should contribute to gender equality.