The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act 2015 could spell a difference in how the United States integrates gender into its development assistance.
Section 7059 of the omnibus spending bill states that at least $50 million will be devoted toward promoting women's leadership and at least $150 million will be channeled toward implementing a multiyear strategy to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
These funding levels are equal to last year’s appropriations. A slight but significant change in language in the spending bill, however, ensures that the $150 million for efforts against gender-based violence is an express authorization, not a mere nonbinding mandate.