1. “Gender equality, respect for human rights, and environmental sustainability are cornerstones for achieving enduring impacts on the lives and potential of poor women, men, and children. It is vital that all our policies address these issues in a more systematic and coherent way” (Accra Agenda for Action, 2008).

2. Individually and collectively donor agencies and governments have made strong commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment. Donor guidance to operationalise those commitments includes the DAC Guidelines on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Development Co-operation (1999), along with the policies and plans developed by individual agencies.

3. In 2007 members of the DAC Network on Gender Equality reviewed the DAC Guidelines with the intention of revising them to reflect changed approaches to and practices in development co-operation. It quickly became apparent, however, that the twin track approach of the Guidelines - gender mainstreaming and targeted interventions - continues to be a useful strategy. Instead gender mainstreaming and targeted interventions - continues to be a useful strategy. Instead gender mainstreaming and targeted interventions - continues to be a useful strategy. Instead of revising them, members have therefore prepared these Guiding Principles for Aid Effectiveness, Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment 4 to complement the existing Guidelines