The Gender Assessment for USAID/Panama was completed in February 2004 as part of the preparation of the new Country Plan for 2004-2008. The report includes an overview of factors affecting the status of women in Panama, key gender issues in the country, and the government, NGO, and donor resources directed at these issues. It then focuses directly on USAID/Panama strategic program areas to identify gender issues specific to these programs and partners and to make recommendations for gender mainstreaming in the Country Plan and projects.

This gender assessment serves as background for USAID/Panama's new five-year country strategy. It provides an overview of key gender issues and constraints in USAID/Panama's new program areas and general background on the status of women and gender in Panama. In addition, it offers recommendations for a Mission gender plan of action as guidance for the integration of gender considerations into the design, procurement, and implementation of new Mission activities.