This 2016 Africa Human Development Report on gender equality follows the 2012 Africa Human Development Report which looked at the importance of assuring food security for all Africans. The two reports share a common objective of addressing what might be considered two unfinished agenda items on Africa’s development trajectory. Both have long been recognized as important priorities for the governments and citizens of African countries. This year’s report on gender equality reviews the ongoing efforts of African countries to accelerate the pace of assuring women’s empowerment through all spheres of society – in the home and community in health and educational attainment in the workplace and in political participation and leadership. While significant progress has been made across numerous fronts in most countries gender equality for African women and girls is still far from satisfactory. This report adopts a political economy approach to gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa.