The programme, led by Deepta Chopra, will look at how you can build an enabling environment for gender empowerment. It will examine the politics behind care, asking why policies that support unpaid care become institutionalised in some contexts and not others. The programme will also examine how collective action, involving women and men in social movements and coalitions is able to effectively address gender-based violence. In particular it examines the involvement of men and boys in working on issues to do with gender-based violence. A core component of the programme is to address sexual and reproductive health and for HIV prevention in urban contexts. Amongst the expected outcomes is greater recognition amongst policy makers of the importance of unpaid care work and of interventions which build a better environment for women and girls' urban health care. The programme will also be expected to challenge current attitudes to gender based violence.

IDS has long played a prominent part in promoting policies to support the empowerment of women and girls. The Institute is home to BRIDGE, a gender research and communications programme aimed at providing accessible and diverse information to bridge the gaps between theory, policy and practice. IDS also led the Pathways of Women's Empowerment research consortium, with partners in South Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. Researchers from right across IDS focus on gender issues and will contribute to this new programme.

Related Resources

• http://interactions.eldis.org/