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#Lesson 9 Gender Mainstreaming

The document discusses gender mainstreaming, defined as integrating a gender perspective in policy processes to promote equity between women and men. It outlines the principles, rationale, and levels of gender mainstreaming, emphasizing the need for gender analysis and addressing challenges in implementation. Additionally, it highlights the importance of understanding the impact of policies on both genders to ensure effective development outcomes.

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Simon Chege
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31 views4 pages

#Lesson 9 Gender Mainstreaming

The document discusses gender mainstreaming, defined as integrating a gender perspective in policy processes to promote equity between women and men. It outlines the principles, rationale, and levels of gender mainstreaming, emphasizing the need for gender analysis and addressing challenges in implementation. Additionally, it highlights the importance of understanding the impact of policies on both genders to ensure effective development outcomes.

Uploaded by

Simon Chege
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MAINSTREAMING GENDER IN DEVELOPMENT

Gender Mainstreaming

By the end of lesson, you should be able to


1. Define the term gender mainstreaming
2. Explain the rationale for gender mainstreaming
3. Identify the different levels of gender mainstreaming

Introduction
In this lesson, you will learn about Gender Mainstreaming. Gender mainstreaming is defined
as the integration of a gender perspective in every stage of policy processes 3 design,
implementation, monitoring and evaluation, with a view to promoting equity and equality
between women and men.

Gender Mainstreaming, assesses how policies impact on the life and position of both women
and men, taking responsibility to re-address the imbalances.

Sub-topic 1: Principles of Gender Mainstreaming


Gender mainstreaming is founded on several principles. The following are some of the
principles that guide gender mainstreaming.

 Adequate accountability mechanisms for monitoring progress need to be established.


 The initial identification of issues and problems across all area(s) of activity should be
such that gender differences and disparities can be diagnosed.
 Assumptions that issues or problems are neutral from a gender-equality perspective
should never be made.
 Gender analysis should always be carried out.
 Clear political will and allocation of adequate resources for mainstreaming gender
 Gender mainstreaming requires that efforts be made to broaden women's equitable
participation at all levels of decision-making.

Rationale for Gender Mainstreaming

The rationale for gender mainstreaming is an explanation as to why it is important to


implement gender mainstreaming in different development processes. It recognizes that
development policies impact female and male differently. There is therefore the need to
ensure that the needs of both men and women are taken on board during policy development,
implementation- Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

It advances women to reach their developmental potential since programs and policies will
be analyzed from the perspectives of men and women.

Subtopic 2: Levels of gender mainstreaming


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Gender mainstreaming can be implemented at different levels namely; institutional level, the
policy level and the programme level/project level.

The Institutional level is the best entry point for gender mainstreaming. It therefore requires
that top management is involved and is committed to the process through resource and
budgetary allocation. At this level, enhancement of human resource capacity is also
required.

At the policy level, information on gender issues related to policy are addressed. They
include men and women8s needs, their priorities, access to resources, decision-making and
benefits.

At the programme also known as project level or activities level, gender disaggregated data is
gathered. This is important because information on who does what is taken into account.

Lesson Summary
Gender mainstreaming is a very important aspect of any development process and cannot be
ignored. If well implemented, it minimizes negative impacts on men and women ensuring
that their needs and concerns are addressed, which is key to sustainable and effective
development. In addressing the inequality between men and women in the sharing of power
and decision making at all levels, Governments and other actors should promote an active
and visible policy of mainstreaming a gender perspective in all policies and programmes so
that before decisions are taken, an analysis is made of the effects on women and men
respectively.

Activity : Using relevant examples from any institution of your choice,

1. Explain how the gender mainstreaming policy has been


implemented.
2. Identify gender policy achievements in Kenya since
independence.

Further Reading:
Booth, C. and Bennet, (2002). 7Gender Mainstreaming in the European
Union’, European Journal of Women Studies 9 (4): 430-46.
True, J. (2010) Mainstreaming Gender in International relations; Gender
Matters in Global Politics. New York: Routledge, L.J Shepherd
(E.d) pp. 189-2003

Lesson 2: Challenges of Mainstreaming Gender in Policy Formulation/ Programmes/


Strategies
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By the end of lesson 2, you should be able to

1. Explain the challenges of gender mainstreaming in development


2. Give reasons why carrying out a gender analysis is important before mainstreaming
gender in development

Sub-topic 1: Challenges of gender mainstreaming


It is important to note that gender mainstreaming is not always smooth sailing. There are
challenges that are experienced at different levels of implementation. Some of the challenges
faced include the following;
 Information and knowledge gaps coupled with lack of gender disaggregated data in most
of the government sectors..
 Difficulty in developing tangible gender indicators because most of the gender indicators
are qualitative.
 Lack of technical backstopping to support on gender mainstreaming efforts at various
levels.

Activity :
Students to suggest ways of addressing the challenges of
mainstreaming gender in development.

Further Reading:
United Nations, Fourth World, Beijing Declaration and Platform for
Action.

Sub-topic 2: Gender Analysis

Defining Gender Analysis


Gender analysis is defined as the systematic effort to research, document and understand the
roles of women and men within a given context, and how a particular activity, decision or
plan will specifically affect women or men. Gender Analysis makes visible the advantages
and disadvantages experienced by men or women, in relation to an issue. It Provides the
basis for taking steps to address disadvantages, and for devising remedial/ preventive
interventions and also a just and equal representation of all men and women in shaping
human society

Gender analysis tools


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Gender analysis tools are frameworks that provide a step by step methodology for conducting
gender analysis. There are many frameworks used in gender analysis. However, in this
course, we will focus on 3 analytical frameworks namely; the Harvard analytical framework,
the Moser analytical framework and the Women8s empowerment framework.

(i) Harvard analytical framework (gender analysis/gender role framework)


The Harvard analytical framework is used to collect data at the household and community
levels and has three main components:
 Activity profile
 The access and control profile
 The analysis of influencing/implementing factors

(ii) Moser analytical framework


The Moser analytical framework is used in welfare programmes that target men and women
differently. It takes into account the different areas of conflict with an aim of bringing about
transformative programmes.

(iii) Women9s empowerment framework (developed by Sara Longwe)


The Women8s empowerment framework looks at looks at women8s misrepresentation at
different levels with the aim of empowering them.

Activity: Citing examples from a community of your choice,

1. Identify any development project and how it has impacted


on men and women.

Further reading
Kabeer, Naila (1994). Reversed realities: gender hierarchies in
development thought. Verso. ISBN0-86091-584-0.
Leach, Fiona E. (2003). Practising gender analysis in education.
Oxfam. ISBN 0 3 85598-493-7.
Sahay, Sushama (1998). Women Empowerment: Approaches and
Strategies. Discovery Publishing House. ISBN 81-7141-412-5.

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