GAD Historical Framework

• 40s-60s

  • United Nation Charter (1945)
  • Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
• 40s-60s


  • Women's equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex
  • Focus on women's reproductive roles- access to food, contraceptives, nutrition, and health care
  • Women were seen as wives and mothers
• 40s-60s


  Increase women's political participation and harness their labor capacities to meet national development goals
• First World Conference Women Mexico


  1974
• 70s-80s


  • UN decade for women "76-85"
  • Addresses reproductive, productive and community politics
  • Access to and control over factors of production and decision making
  • WID approaches (anti-poverty and equity)
• 70s-80s


  Development should empower women and men to greater self-reliance and assertion of own capabilities
• Late 80s-90s ongoing


  • Shift towards GAD mainstreaming
  • Addresses practical gender needs of women, promotes access to employment and income and basic services
  • Removing 'disparities' in social, economic, and political balances between women and men
• Late 80s-90s ongoing


  Integrate gender awareness and competence into mainstream development
• Millennium Development Goals (MDG 2000-2015)


  • Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
  • Achieve universal primary education
  • Promote gender equality and empower women
  • Reduce child mortality
  • Improve maternal health
  • Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases
  • Ensure environmental sustainability
  • Develop group partnership for development
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2016-2030)


  • No poverty
  • Zero hunger
  • Good health and well-being
  • Quality education
  • Gender equality
  • Clean water and sanitation
  • Affordable and clean energy
  • Decent work and economic growth
  • Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • Reduced inequalities
  • Sustainable cities and communities
  • Responsible consumption and production
  • Climate action
  • Life below water
  • Life on land
  • Peace, justice and strong institutions
  • Partnerships for the goals