What GAD is

Gender and Development (GAD) is a development perspective that recognizes the unequal status and situation of women and men in the society. It is a process that is participatory and empowering, equitable, sustainable, free from violence, respectful of human rights, and supportive of self-determination and actualization of human potentials. At the same time, it addresses women’s strategic interests and the interests of the poor through people – centered development and gender mainstreaming activities.
Gender Mainstreaming refers to the strategy for making women’s concerns and experiences as well as those of the men, an integral dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policies and programs in all social, political, civil, and economic spheres so that women and men benefit equally. Hence, inequality is not perpetuated, and discrimination against women will be minimized.
Discrimination Against Women is any gender-based distinction, exclusion, or restriction which has the effect or purpose of impairing of nullifying the recognition enjoyment, or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil, or any other field.