Advancing Gender Equality in Africa and Globally: Strengthening Health and Economic Outcomes by Learning What Works at Scale

Around the world, gender inequality continues to shape individual opportunities, families, and societies. Among adults ages 25-34, five million more women are in poverty than men. The World Economic Forum estimates that, unless progress accelerates, it will take 202 years to realize gender parity in economic participation. In 2017, fewer than 1 in 4 girls in sub-Saharan Africa completed secondary school.
Through the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063, both the United Nations and the African Union have set ambitious targets for advancing gender equality, improving population health, and strengthening national economies in the coming decades. These goals are deeply interconnected, as closing gender gaps is foundational to broader health and economic gains. Realizing these commitments requires: 1) large-scale action, and 2) research evidence demonstrating which approaches are feasible and effective in low- and high-income countries alike.
This project will bring together an international, interdisciplinary team to develop the evidence on what works at scale by using longitudinal data to rigorously evaluate how national laws and policies focused on gender equality affect health and economic outcomes for women, men, and children across countries. In addition to producing a substantial new body of actionable research, this project will emphasize knowledge translation and mentorship of junior scholars, with the goal of moving from evidence to impact.