Gender equality and women empowerment are the main pillar of the ESDF’s interventions. The ESDF has been working on gender theme since its inception and we have been working with various women groups including women-headed households, female victims of sexual and gender based violence, women with disabilities, women farmers, women in informal business sector, women in local politics, women human rights defenders, women journalists and so on, with the goal of empowering women and increasing their active participation with the role of influential leaders in decision-making process of social, economical and political streams as well as ensuring equal access and opportunities for women at all levels.

Meanwhile, the ESDF has been addressing gender unequal practices and structures of the state and community institutions as well as gender discriminatory policies and laws. On the other side, with the combined effort of women's groups, the ESDF is promoting gender equality via policy formulation, institutional development and capacity building of duty bearers at the local and national level.

Furthermore, forming women’s movements and engage them to collectively raise their voices against sexual and gender based violence and gender discrimination through advocacy actions and community campaigns.