Gender Equality and Key Populations: Results, Gaps and Lessons From the Implementation of Strategies and Action Plans

The Gender Equality Strategy (2008) and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identities (SOGI) Strategy (2009) were the first formal, strategic commitments by the Board of the Global Fund to addressing these areas within the institution’s policies and investments.

In January 2016, the Community, Rights and Gender department commissioned a Rapid Review of the current frameworks for implementing the strategies - the Gender Equality Action Plan 2014-2016 and the Key Populations Action Plan 2014-2017. The review was conducted in January – March 2016 by an independent consultant, informed by over 45 key stakeholder interviews and 70 resources. It focused on the role of the Global Fund Secretariat in developing, implementing, monitoring and promoting the action plans. The review will be complemented by a thematic evaluation of implementation of the Gender Equality Strategy at the country level, to be conducted by the Technical Evaluation Reference Group.

This review presents extensive examples of the progress being achieved by the Global Fund in implementing the objectives and activities outlined in its action plans on gender equality and key populations.