Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) efforts face persistent challenges rooted in patriarchal structures and harmful social norms that restrict the participation of women and marginalized groups. Many governments and institutions struggle with limited funding and weak capacity to design and implement GESI-responsive programs effectively. Decision-making spaces often exclude the voices of marginalized communities, resulting in policies that fail to reflect their lived realities. Compounding these issues, inadequate data systems make it difficult to monitor progress and address gaps in equality and inclusion. Global crises such as climate change, conflict, and displacement disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, deepening their exclusion. Despite these barriers, there are significant opportunities to advance GESI. Global policy frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) provide a robust foundation for action. Intersectionality is increasingly being recognized as essential to developing inclusive and equitable interventions. Digital technologies offer innovative pathways to expand access to education, services, and employment for underserved groups. Moreover, youth-led movements and feminist activism are driving transformative changes in social norms and institutional leadership. Development partners are also prioritizing gender-transformative and socially inclusive programming, bringing both resources and momentum to the global push for equality.