[Otto Harkaman]

Inclusion Politics and USAID

Inclusive Development Practices

• USAID’s involvement in DEI is multifaceted, reflecting an evolution from traditional aid delivery toward an integrated approach that considers social, economic, and political inclusion as essential to sustainable development. USAID supports initiatives that promote inclusive political participation. This includes programs that encourage marginalized communities to engage in local governance and decision-making processes.
• The agency has developed comprehensive Gender Equality Strategies and Gender Action Plans, such as the initiatives laid out in its multi-year planning documents, which detail objectives, benchmarks, and evaluation methods. The approach is to use disaggregated data in program planning so that interventions are tailored to the specific needs of these groups.
• Implementing DEI principles in diverse cultural contexts can be challenging. requiring USAID to carefully tailor its approach to respect local dynamics while advancing human rights. By addressing structural inequalities, USAID aims to create long-term stability and resilience in the communities it supports.