This thematic evaluation of gender equality and women’s empowerment examined international assistance programming in the Middle East and the Maghreb from 2015-16 to 2019-20 that targeted or fully integrated gender equality. The geographic scope included Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, West Bank and Gaza, and Yemen. The evaluation aimed to inform decision-making, better understand women’s empowerment and improve Canadian programming. This report presents the evaluation findings, conclusions, recommendations and considerations for horizontal learning. Despite their differences (geographic location, conflict vs. non-conflict areas, age, marital status, migration status, socio-economic status, race, disability, etc.), the women we spoke to had a common understanding of empowerment and gender equality. They valued their ability to choose and make decisions freely for themselves and for their families. Women identified human rights and the appreciation of their important role in society as key concepts for gender equality. These definitions align with Canada’s vision and policies on gender equality and women’s empowerment, which are based on 3 mutually reinforcing concepts of decision-making, human rights and access to and control over resources. Despite the limited outcome data, we found that women who participated in various types of projects that targeted or fully integrated gender equality felt empowered. For these women, empowerment took place when they actively participated in project activities. In order to sustain these empowerment gains, the environment should support this meaningful participation and encourage the further active participation in project activities of other influential agents of change in women’s lives, including family and male figures. Corporate gender equality policies, processes, tools and guidance have positively positioned Global Affairs Canada to achieve outcomes related to gender equality and women’s empowerment. However, the evaluation found it difficult to assess these achievements due to limited documented outcomes. Furthermore, the introduction of the Feminist International Assistance Policy within the department was not matched with a timely implementation strategy and related supporting tools and training. This created confusion and knowledge challenges among staff and partners. The COVID-19 pandemic, which arose after this evaluation was designed, exposed vulnerabilities in the region’s social, political and economic systems and created disruptions with respect to women’s feelings of empowerment. Women’s empowerment disruptions have already emerged in political representation and decision-making, economic inclusion, access to education, access to information and technology, access to health, protection and social services, and mobility. Women and girls are experiencing fewer economic opportunities, loss of jobs, reduced wages, unfair working conditions, violence and poverty. Nevertheless, initial indications are that the pandemic created opportunities to continue connection through digital channels for social networking and project programming