This report documents progress in implementing the Gender Equality Policy and Strategy 2016-2020, approved by the Board in June 2016. The report builds on the presentation made to the Strategic and Impact Committee (SIC) meeting held in Washington, D.C., on May 11-12, 2018, which outlined progress on the gender equality action plan for FY18 and gave an overview of the FY19 action plan and key deliverables.

The report highlights key gender results from the GPE Results Report 2018, which shows that 14 countries remain below the threshold gender parity index (GPI) rate of 0.88 for both primary and lower secondary completion. These countries are among the poorest and most conflict-affected in the world, indicating that a more intersectional approach and concentrated level of effort is needed to support them to accelerate progress and ensure no girl is left behind.

The report also notes several countries where fewer boys than girls are completing basic education, highlighting an emerging issue that will require context-specific solutions and tailored strategies to address gender-based barriers and needs.