During the 1970s, women professionals working in international development began to research and document their concerns that international development efforts were leaving women behind. They argued that these efforts were relegating development investments for women mainly to child care, nutrition and home economics thus neglecting the de-facto significant economic roles and responsibilities of women, particularly in the agriculture sector.For development activities, gender mainstreaming requires assessing the implications for women and men of any planned action, including legislation, and ensuring that their concerns and experiences are taken fully into account in the design, implementation, onitoring and evaluation of all development interventions. The aim is to develop interventions that vercome barriers preventing women and men from having equal access to the resources and services they need to improve their livelihoods.