This paper introduces value chain analysis and development as tools for addressing gender inequities in markets. It describes how factors such as access to assets, gendered education differentials and the nature and value of economic activities affect the way in which men and women participate and gain in value chains, distinguishing among household, institutional and chain levels of analysis. This paper also introduces an emerging conceptual framework on gender and value chains and then examines the available empirical evidence to answer the question “what effects does the application of upgrading strategies in value chains have on gender outcomes for the poor in poor regions of developing countries?”