This How-To Note provides an overview of USAID requirements to ensure that Bureau and Mission Resource Request (MRRs) and Operational Plans (OPs) capture the extent to which planned expenditures contribute to outcomes in gender equality, women’s empowerment, gender-based violence and women, peace and security. MRRs are the first step in the USAID budget formulation process, while OPs describe an operating unit’s planned expenditures for a given fiscal year’s budget. Both the MRR and OP must provide a budget breakdown and narratives for how an Operating Unit’s (OU) activities contribute to the four Gender Key Issues.

Information on USAID’s activities that contribute to the Gender Key Issues are of special interest to Agency stakeholders, and align with reporting requirements in the international donor community.

This How-To Note includes the Gender Key Issue definitions and tips for ensuring that Missions and Offices accurately report budget attributions in MRRs and OPs. A companion resource, FAQs on Gender Integration in MRRs and OPs is available as an annex to this Note. A separate How-To Note on Gender Integration in Performance Plans and Reports (PPRs) and companion FAQs is also available.