This issues paper discusses a gender assessment exercise carried out in April-June 2005. It provides the government of Mali and its partners with proposals aimed at improving policies and activities that promote gender equity and equality (GEE). The study is divided into four sections: Section 1 presents the national context within which the study falls; Section 2 deals with the gender profile in Mali; Section 3 addresses the institutional framework for gender implementation in Mali; and Section 4 gives the conclusions and recommendations of the study. Based on the findings of the study, advocacy will be carried out among decision-makers to inform them about gender-specific developmental challenges, and encourage them to give concrete support to gender mainstreaming.