The Scottish Government (SG) has committed to a feminist approach to its foreign policy (FFP), which, in the context of international development, emphasizes a participatory and intersectional approach that prioritises the rights and empowerment of women, girls, and other marginalised groups.

The 2020/21 review of the SG’s approach to international development introduced several key developments, including:

• The addition of a new ‘Equalities Programme’
• The establishment of a Global South Panel of experts to ensure a more diverse and representative range of voices
• Updated funding criteria to enable greater access for Southern organisations to secure funding

To implement its FFP within its international development portfolio, the SG has adopted a twin-track approach to advancing gender equality:

1. Establishing the Equalities Programme with a focus on the empowerment of women and girls
2. Mainstreaming gender equality across its other programs

The Women and Girls Fund (WGF) is the first new fund developed as part of the Equalities Programme within the SG International Development Funds. This fund will provide direct support to women, girls, and women- and girl-led organisations (WGLOs) in Malawi, Zambia, and Rwanda over four years (April 2024 to March 2028.