UK International Strategic Framework on Women and Girls 2026

The scale of the UK’s ambition reflects the challenges facing women and girls globally. Conflict, climate change and economic disruption are reversing progress, while attempts to roll back women’s rights are gaining momentum. Hard-won gains are under pressure, and the risks to women and girls are increasing.

This framework sets out how the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will deliver its standalone Women and Girls priority by placing women and girls at the centre of its international work. It focuses on where UK action can deliver the greatest long-term impact, embedding gender equality across diplomacy, development, security and trade.

The FCDO will prioritise action to:

• tackle violence against women and girls in all its forms, including online and in conflict
• increase women’s economic empowerment, access to jobs, finance and digital opportunities
• strengthen women’s political and civic participation and leadership
• improve access to education and health, including sexual and reproductive health and rights

To deliver for women and girls across the world, the FCDO will:

• use its diplomatic leadership to drive global progress on gender equality and champion women’s and girls’ rights
• work through multilateral institutions and partnerships to scale impact and strengthen delivery
• build long-term, locally-led partnerships that strengthen systems and support sustainable progress
• mainstream gender equality across all policy, programming and decision making
• engage men and boys to challenge harmful norms and support lasting change

In a more contested and constrained global environment, this framework provides a clear direction for teams and partners to align efforts and prioritise resources to deliver lasting change.