The Gender and Development Unit was established in 1984. Its task was to raise awareness among staff at all levels of socially constructed differences between men and women and the unequal power relationships that result, and to incorporate a gender perspective in Oxfam's programme. A staff network, Action for Gender Relations in Asia, was established in the same year. In 1990 the Unit initiated a publishing strategy.

In 1992 the Gender and Development Unit became the Gender Team, with an advisory function, located in the Policy Department. In 1996 it merged with the Programme Development Team to create the Gender and Learning Team.