The Reflections series synthesizes lessons from past evaluations to support organizational learning about what works and what doesn't. This paper examines past evaluations to provide seven lessons from UNDP work where it has aimed to promote gender equality and empowerment of women and girls as a Sustainable Development Goal accelerator:

1. Advancing GEWE in all programme areas accelerates progress towards the SDGs, including those not explicitly targeting GEWE. Recognizing multiple gender inequalities is an essential first step.
2. A better understanding of intersecting discriminations and stronger gender analysis are key to the success of a Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) approach with GEWE to accelerate the SDGs.
3. Shared responsibility and partnerships are key to integrating multidimensional approaches to advance GEWE and accelerate the SDGs, helping transform ‘stakeholders’ into ‘stakewinners’ in the interest of GEWE.
4. Women are key agents of change in regard to sustainable environment and energy, but initiatives must address discrimination and social/cultural norms that often prevent women from accruing benefits of results beyond participation.
5. Crisis prevention, response, recovery, stabilization and peacebuilding initiatives that adequately integrate gender responsive approaches achieve more sustainable results and more durably advance women’s empowerment.
6. UNDP’s Gender Seal enhances attention to gender equality in programmatic areas and promotes the integration of approaches that accelerate results beyond GEWE achievements.
7. Adequate resources for GEWE are an absolute must but without concrete commitment from country offices and partners for sustained action they are no guarantee for transformative gender outcomes.