Hannah F.G. Taukobong|Mary Kincaid|Jessica K. Levy|Shelah S. Bloom|Jennifer L. Platt|Sarah Henry|Gary L. Darmstadt
Does addressing gender inequalities and empowering women and girls improve health and development programme outcomes?
Incorporated Research Institutions For Seismology|Incorporated Research Institutions For Seismology|Incorporated Research Institutions For Seismology|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|Incorporated Research Institutions For Seismology|Thrive|Stanford University|Stanford University
article presents evidence supporting hypothesis promoting gender equality womens girls empowerment gewe leads better health development outcomes reviewed literature across six sectorsfamily planning fp maternal newborn child health mnch nutrition agriculture water sanitation hygiene financial services poorand found 76 studies low middleincome countries met inclusion criteria across studies identified common gewe variables emerged repeatedly significant predictors sector outcomes grouped variables 10 thematic categories termed genderrelated levers levers classified strength evidence wedges foundations facilitators wedges genderrelated levers strong associations improved outcomes across multiple sectors include control incomeassetsresources decisionmaking power education elements levers overlap combined encapsulate agency increasing female agency promotes equality broadly improves health development women families communities second classification foundations displayed strong positive associations across fp mnch nutrition foundations proximal relationship sector outcomes include equitable interpersonal relationships mobility personal safety finally third group levers facilitators associated improved outcomes two three sectors include access information community groups paid labour rights levers make easier women girls achieve goals traditional elements development programmes overall genderrelated levers associated improvements variety health development outcomes furthermore associations crosssectoral suggesting fully realize benefits promoting gewe development community must collaborate coordinated integrated ways across multiple sectors research needed identify mechanisms gendered interventions work circumstances