Since 2003, the EQUATE project, implemented by MSI, has provided training and technical assistance on gender equality in education to USAID staff, stakeholders, and implementing partners as a means of improving children’s attainment of basic education. EQUATE conducts trainings and workshops that demonstrate how the relationships and interactions between males and females impact educational access, quality, and outcomes. Trainings and technical materials developed by EQUATE help USAID staff and implementing partners develop education activities which will meet the needs of boys and girls.

With gender equality in education as its goal, the MSI EQUATE team promotes understanding of how gender stereotypes limit the choices and opportunities for boys and girls and obscure their needs and differences. EQUATE increases awareness of the importance of identifying the root causes of inequality and seeking systemic, transformative changes that create learning opportunities and enable all children to flourish and reach their full potential.

Select accomplishments to date include:

• Training USAID staff and stakeholders on the impact of gender on educational access, quality, and outcomes;
• Developing a conceptual framework to help USAID staff and stakeholders implement approaches for achieving gender equality in education; the framework has been used for strategic planning and improving the design of field activities;
• Increasing awareness of cross-sectoral issues impacting boys’ and girls’ education, such as school-related gender-based violence, HIV, and AIDS;
• Developing a tool to help USAID staff analyze the impact of education programs on gender equality;
• Designing a learning program on gender and education for new USAID education officers
• Analyzing project design documents to assess the extent to which gender considerations were incorporated and provide guidance on the development of future initiatives
• Assessing the impact of gender on boys’ and girls’ educational experiences and outcomes for USAID/Jamaica, enabling USAID staff and stakeholders to discover new ways of achieving gender equality; and
• Conducting a participatory assessment and strategy workshop to chart the gender integration strategy for the USAID/Zambia education office.

The project is scheduled to end in September 2008, but the training and materials provided through the EQUATE project will help to ensure that USAID staff have the skills and resources needed to successfully incorporate gender into future educational programming.

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