Improving Reading, Equity, and Accountability in the DRC (ACCELERE!) Program – Activity 1: YEAR 2 WORK PLAN, OCTOBER 2016 – SEPTEMBER 2017 ANNEX 2. ANNUAL UPDATE YEAR 2 GENDER ANALYSIS AND GENDER IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

According to the UNDP Gender Inequality Index, the DRC ranked 149 out of 155 countries in 2014. Despite some improvements, such as an increase in the percentage of women with at least some secondary education, there have also been negative changes, including an increase in the maternal mortality ratio. The country's Gender Inequality Index (GII) indicators show a decrease in maternal mortality ratio and adolescent fertility rate, but an increase in the percentage of women in parliament. The DRC's Education Sector Strategy for 2016-2025 contains significant objectives relating to gender equality in education, which the ACCELERE! Activity 1 project can help to support. The project aims to improve reading, equity, and accountability in the DRC through a range of interventions, including education and training programs for girls and women. The project's gender team will continue to seek opportunities to establish a consistent dialogue with the Ministry of Women, Family, and Child (MWFC) to support the implementation of a gender strategy. The DRC's education sector faces significant challenges, including a shortage of qualified teachers, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to education for girls and women. According to the Rapport d'état du système éducatif (RESEN) for the DRC, the country's education system is characterized by a high dropout rate, particularly among girls. The ACCELERE! Activity 1 project aims to address these challenges through a range of interventions, including teacher training, infrastructure development, and community engagement. The project's gender analysis highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of gender inequality in education, including cultural and social norms that perpetuate discrimination against girls and women. The project's gender team will work to develop a comprehensive gender implementation strategy that addresses these challenges and promotes gender equality in education. The ACCELERE! Activity 1 project will focus on improving reading outcomes for girls and women in the DRC through a range of interventions, including education and training programs, infrastructure development, and community engagement. The project's gender team will work closely with the MWFC and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive gender implementation strategy that addresses the challenges facing girls and women in the DRC's education sector. The project's gender implementation strategy will focus on the following key areas: * Improving access to education for girls and women, particularly in rural and disadvantaged areas * Enhancing the quality of education for girls and women, including through teacher training and infrastructure development * Promoting gender equality in education, including through community engagement and awareness-raising activities * Addressing the root causes of gender inequality in education, including cultural and social norms that perpetuate discrimination against girls and women. The project's gender team will work closely with the MWFC and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive gender implementation strategy that addresses the challenges facing girls and women in the DRC's education sector. The project's gender implementation strategy will be based on a thorough analysis of the DRC's education sector and the challenges facing girls and women, and will be developed in consultation with a range of stakeholders, including the MWFC, teachers, parents, and community leaders.